Super Bowl LV

Raymond James Stadium, decorated for Super Bowl LV, January 31, 2021

On May 19, 2015, the league announced the five finalists for hosting Super Bowl LIII in 2019 and Super Bowl LIV in 2020. NFL team owners voted on these cities on May 24, 2016, with the first round of voting to determine the host for Super Bowl LIII, and the second round deciding the site for Super Bowl LIV. In a development not known in advance, a third round of voting was added to select a Super Bowl LV hosting site.[12] Atlanta and Miami were awarded Super Bowls LIII and LIV respectively, removing them from the running for LV. Los Angeles was not eligible for Super Bowl LIII, as their stadium was under construction and would not yet be finished; it was eligible for LIV and LV, and opted to bid only on the latter.[13]

The two candidates were:

• Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida: Tampa has hosted four Super Bowls, the last being Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.
• SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California: Los Angeles has hosted the Super Bowl seven times, most recently in 1993 with Super Bowl XXVII; that game, along with the four prior Super Bowls in the area, was held at the Rose Bowl while the first two Super Bowls in the Los Angeles area were held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Los Angeles was originally chosen as the host site for Super Bowl LV in a vote on May 24, 2016.[13][14][15] However, due to construction delays, authorities announced that the stadium would not be completed until the start of the 2020 NFL season.[16] On May 23, 2017, NFL owners voted unanimously, with the Rams' approval, to move Super Bowl LV to Tampa. The City of Inglewood will instead host Super Bowl LVI in 2022.[17]

Outside Raymond James Stadium, one week prior to Super Bowl LV

As of the start of the 2020 NFL season, the league had forbidden on-field entertainment, such as halftime shows and national anthem performances at games with spectators. These elements, which have historically been cornerstones of the Super Bowl entertainment, would be produced off-site if restrictions remain in place.[18] In case a COVID-19 outbreak forced the postponements of regular season and playoff games, the league stated that Super Bowl LV could be delayed as far as February 28.[19]

Cardboard cutouts of fans can be seen in the stands, one week before the game

The state of Florida removed capacity restrictions for sporting events in October, although the three Florida-based teams have voluntarily maintained 20-25% capacity limits.[20] As of late October 2020, the NFL was planning a minimum attendance of 20% of capacity, in hopes that a larger capacity would be possible by game day.[21]

On January 22, 2021, the NFL had originally announced that the game would have 22,000 fans in attendance, 7,500 of whom would be health care workers who had received a COVID-19 vaccine, primarily from the Tampa and central Florida region.[22] The NFL was also planning on helping fill in the empty seats by selling the opportunity for fans to have a cardboard cutout of themselves in the stands.[23][24][25] On February 2, the league increased the expected attendance to 25,000.[26] Super Bowl LV is set to be the least-attended Super Bowl in the game's history; the next-lowest attendance was the 61,946 who attended the inaugural game in 1967.[27]

NFL protocols require the closest rows of seats to be blocked with tarps in order to reduce spectator proximity to the field.[28] For the Super Bowl, they will be covered with additional LED video boards, combined with those already present in the stadium.[29]

The traditional events held during Super Bowl week were significantly reduced. Capacity at the Super Bowl Experience at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park will be limited due to health and safety protocols.[30] Instead of holding practices and participating in media events during the entire week in the Super Bowl host city, the Chiefs will fly into Tampa on the day before the game like during the regular season (had another NFC team advanced to the Super Bowl instead of the Buccaneers, they would have done this as well).[31] As such, the "Super Bowl Opening Night" festivities on the Monday preceding the game were cancelled and replaced with a virtual media availability.[32]

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is looking to lead Kansas City to back-to-back Super Bowl championships

As defending Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs recorded an NFL-best 14–2 record in 2020 under eighth year head coach Andy Reid. Other than a 40–32 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders in week 4, their only defeat was in the final game of the season, when they rested most of their starters because they had already clinched the #1 seed in the playoffs. This appearance will be the Chiefs' fourth trip to the Super Bowl. They lost Super Bowl I (1967), but won Super Bowls IV (1970) and LIV (2020).

Kansas City's offense ranked first in the NFL in yards (6,653) and sixth in points scored (473). Quarterback Patrick Mahomes made the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season, throwing for 4,740 yards (second in the league) and 38 touchdowns, with only six interceptions, while also finishing the season as Kansas City's second leading rusher with a career high 308 yards and 2 scores on the ground. His main target was Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce, who caught 105 passes for 1,416 yards and 11 touchdowns, making him the NFL's second leading receiver and setting a new league record for receiving yards by a tight end.[33] Pro Bowl receiver Tyreek Hill was also a major asset, with 87 receptions for 1,276 yards and 15 touchdowns, while also rushing for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. Mahomes had plenty of other reliable options, such as receivers Demarcus Robinson (45 receptions for 466 yards), Mecole Hardman (41 reception for 561 yards and 360 return yards on special teams), and Sammy Watkins (37 receptions for 421 yards). The team's leading rusher from 2019, Damien Williams, opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns and because his mother had recently been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer.[34] In his place, rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire had stepped up to fill the void, rushing for 808 yards and 4 touchdowns, while also catching 36 passes for 297 yards and another touchdown alongside Le'Veon Bell who had 254 yards and 2 touchdowns after being released from the New York Jets earlier from the season. Tackle Eric Fisher led the Chiefs offensive line, making his second Pro Bowl selection. However, he was forced to miss the Super Bowl after suffering a torn achilles tendon in the AFC championship game.[35] On special teams, kicker Harrison Butker made 25 of 27 field goals, including all four of his attempts from over 50 yards.[36]

The Chiefs defensive line was led by Pro Bowl selections Chris Jones (7.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles) and Frank Clark (6 sacks). Linebacker Anthony Hitchens ranked second on the team with 78 tackles. Kansas City also had a superb secondary, led by Pro Bowl strong safety Tyrann Mathieu (68 tackles, 6 interceptions, and one fumble recovery) and free safety Daniel Sorensen (91 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles), along with cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland (2 interceptions) and rookie L'Jarius Sneed (3 interceptions and 2 sacks).[36]

Super Bowl LV will mark Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady's record 10th Super Bowl appearance.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the 2020 season with an 11–5 record under second-year head coach Bruce Arians. Prior to this, the team had not won a playoff game since Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, and had not made the playoffs since 2007–08. They team had also recorded losing seasons in their last three years, including a 7-9 record in Arians' first season with the team.

The 2020 off-season was headlined with adding former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a 20-year veteran, after replacing Jameis Winston during the off-season.[37] The Buccaneers also traded for Rob Gronkowski from the Patriots and talked him out of retirement,[38] while also signing Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy, Antonio Brown, and Ryan Succop. In the 2020 NFL Draft, Tampa Bay bolstered their offensive line by selecting tackle Tristan Wirfs.

Tampa Bay's offense was ranked 7th in league yards (6,145) and 3rd in points scored (492). The 43-year old Brady threw for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns to 12 interception and also rushed for an additional 3 scores. His main targets were Mike Evans who caught 70 passes for 1,001 yards and 13 touchdowns, Chris Godwin who caught 65 passes for 840 yards and 7 touchdowns, and Rob Gronkowski who caught 45 passes for 623 yards and 7 touchdowns. Brady also have other weapons to go to with Scotty Miller (33 passes, 501 yards and 3 touchdowns), Antonio Brown (44 catches, 483 yards and 4 touchdowns), and Cameron Brate (28 catches, 282 yards and 2 touchdowns). Ronald Jones was the team's leading rusher with 978 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also catching 28 passes for 165 yards and another score. Running back Leonard Fournette added 367 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, while also hauling in 36 passes. Kicker Ryan Succop ranked 6th in the NFL with 136 points, making 28 of 31 field goal attempts.[39]

Tampa Bay's defense was ranked 6th in the league (5,234). The defensive line was anchored by defensive ends Ndamukong Suh (6 sacks) and Jason Pierre-Paul, the team's lone Pro Bowl selection (9.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries). The team also had an excellent pair of linebackers, Devin White (140 tackles and 9 sacks) and Shaquil Barrett (8 sacks and 2 force fumbles). Cornerback Carlton Davis led the team with 4 interceptions, while rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. added 94 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 sacks.

The Kansas City Chiefs went 14–2 in 2020 under eighth-year head coach Andy Reid, winning the AFC West Division title and the top seed in the AFC playoffs. After clinching a first-round bye, the Chiefs defeated the Cleveland Browns 22–17 in the Divisional round to send them to their third straight AFC Championship Game. They then won 38–24 over the Buffalo Bills for their second straight Lamar Hunt Trophy. If the Chiefs defeat the Buccaneers, they would become the first team to win consecutive Super Bowls since the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004.[40]

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished as the 5th seed at 11–5 and second in the NFC South behind the New Orleans Saints. In the Wild Card Round, the Buccaneers defeated the Washington Football Team 31–23 to advance to the divisional round against the Saints, who had swept them in the regular season. Tampa Bay then defeated New Orleans 30–20 to advance to the NFC Championship Game. In doing so, they became the second team after the 2017–18 Minnesota Vikings to come within one win of hosting the Super Bowl in 2018. The Buccaneers then upset the top-seeded Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game 31–26 advancing to the Super Bowl. They also became the first team to make the Super Bowl as a Wild Card team since the 2010–11 Green Bay Packers. Tampa Bay will be the first team ever to play a Super Bowl in its home stadium, and only the third to play in their home metro area (alongside the 1979–80 Los Angeles Rams and 1984–85 San Francisco 49ers). Tampa Bay's three previous postseason games before Super Bowl LV were all played on the road at opposing stadiums (Washington, New Orleans, and Green Bay).

The Buccaneers were the designated home team for Super Bowl LV, as the home team alternates between the two conferences annually.[41] The fact that the Buccaneers were designated as the "home" team in their home stadium is a coincidence. As the designated home team, the Buccaneers elected to wear their white jerseys with pewter pants. The Chiefs will wear their red jerseys with white pants.[42][43] The league is treating this as a neutral site game, not allowing the Buccaneers to fire the stadium's signature cannons like they normally do after every touchdown and other big plays.[44]

Gambling establishments had the Chiefs as 3 point favorites and projected 57 points scored.[45]

The Chiefs and Buccaneers played each other during the regular season. The Chiefs won the Week 12 game in Tampa, 27–24. This marks 14th time the Super Bowl featured a rematch of a regular season game, and the first time this has happened since Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.[46]

Super Bowl LV will be televised by CBS. Although NBC was to air this game under the current rotation, they traded the game to CBS in exchange for Super Bowl LVI, which falls during the 2022 Winter Olympics and is the first to be scheduled during an ongoing Olympic Games (this also upholds a gentleman's agreement between the NFL's broadcasters not to counterprogram the Super Bowl,[47] as NBC also holds the U.S. broadcast rights to the Olympics). CBS will, to an extent, also benefit from holding rights to the Super Bowl in the same year that it holds rights to the NCAA Final Four, which is cycled with WarnerMedia Entertainment channels on a two-year cycle with TBS, as well as the AFC Championship Game in primetime, which contractually alternates between afternoon and primetime on a two-year cycle with the NFC Championship Game on Fox.[48][49]

CBS will use 120 cameras in total, including 10 4K cameras, two 8K cameras, the new Trolley Cam running parallel with the field, and two Sony Venice cameras that will be used to produce cinematic and "3D-like" scenes reminiscent of video games. Production will be decentralized due to COVID-19 protocols, with some production duties being conducted remotely from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and at individual employees' homes.[50] CBS is expected to introduce a rebranding of the CBS Sports division during Super Bowl LV, as part of a larger brand unification process between the network's main divisions after the ViacomCBS merger.[51][52]

For the third consecutive Super Bowl televised by CBS, ESPN Deportes will air a Spanish-language broadcast.[53]

On December 3, 2020, CBS announced that its lead-out program will be the series premiere of The Equalizer.[54]

The estimated cost of a 30-second commercial at Super Bowl LV will remain steady with 2020, with CBS reportedly charging around $5.5 million. The economic impact of COVID-19 has prompted some brands to skip the game, including Avocados from Mexico, Budweiser (who donated the airtime it purchased to the Ad Council for public service announcements regarding COVID-19 vaccination; however, Budweiser parent company Anheuser-Busch will still air ads for its other brands during the game, with a total purchase in line with that of Super Bowl LIV),[55] Coca-Cola, Hyundai, and Pepsi (focusing more on its halftime show sponsorship; PepsiCo will still air snack food ads).[56][57] As of January 25, CBS had not yet sold out its advertising inventory.[55]

Companies such as DraftKings, Logitech, and Vroom are making their Super Bowl debut as advertisers.[58][59][60] Robinhood, which had recently gained prominence in the GameStop short squeeze, will also air its first commercial at the game.[61]

In Canada, CTV will televise this game in English and RDS in French; the former is subject to simultaneous substitution.[62]

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the game will be televised on the free-to-air channel BBC One and paid-subscription channel Sky One (as well as its sister channels Sky Sports Main Event and NFL). It will be carried on radio via BBC Radio 5 Live.[63]

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, free-to-air channel ProSieben will broadcast the event through its ran format.[64]

Subscription streaming platform DAZN will also stream the Super Bowl in several countries including Canada, Germany, and Japan.[65]

A special pre-game concert for the invited health care workers attending the game—the TikTok Tailgate—will be held in the afternoon prior to Super Bowl LV, and will be headlined by Miley Cyrus. Portions will be aired during CBS's pre-game show, while the full concert will be streamed on the TikTok app.[66][67]

R&B singer H.E.R. will perform "America the Beautiful", and country music singer Eric Church and R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner".[4]

National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman will recite an original poem recognizing the game's three honorary captains participating in the coin toss ceremony: Los Angeles teacher Trimaine Davis, Tampa nurse Suzie Dorner and Marine veteran James Martin.[68]

The Halftime show will be headlined by The Weeknd.[5][69][70]