NFL fans will be able to purchase cardboard cutouts to place in the stands at Raymond James Stadium for next month’s Super Bowl, with the venue set to operate at limited capacity due to COVID-19.
The NFL has invited supporters to upload a picture of themselves to the league website, with the images to then be transferred onto cardboard cutouts and placed in the stands at the 66,000-seat stadium.
A number of clubs launched similar initiatives last summer as fans were unable to attend games. Each cutout will cost $100 (£73/€82) and fans will be entered into a draw for two tickets for next year’s Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium. A portion of the proceeds from the purchases will be donated to the Feeding Tampa Bay charity.
The NFL last week detailed plans for 22,000 fans to be in attendance at Super Bowl LV, including around 7,500 vaccinated health care workers.
Fans who purchase cutouts will be sent an image of the stadium after the game so they can find themselves in the stands and share the photo on social media if they wish. Fans are encouraged to wear team apparel for the cutouts, which will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, which will take place on February 7. Raymond James Stadium is the home of the Buccaneers and it will mark the first time that an NFL team has played a Super Bowl at its own stadium.
In May 2017, the NFL took the decision to move Super Bowl LV to Raymond James Stadium amid delays to the development of SoFi Stadium, the new home of the LA Rams and LA Chargers that opened last year. SoFi Stadium was instead allocated the 2022 game.
Image: Raymond James Stadium
