Featured image credit: MetLife Stadium
The National Football League has entered into a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through which NFL stadiums will be designated mission capable venues that can be used during response and recovery activities.
Mission Ready Venues, a public-private partnership, has been launched to address a rise in extreme weather crises, along with responding to public health emergencies, in the United States. NFL stadiums will be recognised for their capabilities to better sustain public safety and ability to serve as a source of support for their local communities.
The designation of Mission Ready Venue identifies the ways the stadium could be used for response and recovery activities during declared emergencies or disasters. The initial facilities to receive designations include MetLife Stadium, home of the Jets and the Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey; Lumen Field, home of the Seahawks in Seattle, Washington; Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Raymond James Stadium, home of the Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida.
SoFi Stadium, home of the Rams and the Chargers in Los Angeles, California, is under review. Mission Ready Venue designations are for five-year increments with a yearly check-in to ensure continued readiness of the venue. Redesignation will be necessary every five years and designation does not supersede any agreements with state, local or private sector entities.
NFL stadiums have a history of serving as unofficial emergency response hubs, the most notable recent example being the New Orleans Saints’ Superdome during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Several stadiums were also harnessed during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During large-scale emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, or tornados, we’ve seen how large music, sports and entertainment venues can serve as a safe space for communities,” said FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell.
“This new strategy we’re launching with the NFL is a groundbreaking opportunity to help our partners use these venues for emergency response and recovery needs, while keeping communities safe and making them more resilient.
“While we are starting with the NFL, all venues across sports organisations and leagues can become assets to their communities, and I encourage them to join in this collaborative effort as we grapple with the impacts of the climate crisis.”
NFL chief security officer, Cathy Lanier, added: “Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often used in times of disasters.
“This designation reflects the role that many stadiums play, not only on Sundays, but especially in times of need. We are proud to work with FEMA and first responders at the local and state level to ensure disaster response agencies have the information and tools they need to help a community recover when disaster strikes.”
SummerSlam heads to MetLife Stadium
In other news, US wrestling promotion WWE has announced that MetLife Stadium will host the first-ever two-night edition of its SummerSlam event on August 2-3 next year.
The deal has been agreed with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), manager of MetLife Stadium, which has previously hosted WWE’s WrestleMania 29 and WrestleMania 35. The announcement continues WWE’s recent policy of taking SummerSlam to NFL venues.
SummerSlam 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium drew a crowd of 57,719 fans on August 3, generating the largest gate of any event – outside of WrestleMania – in WWE history. Additionally, SummerSlam 2024 set all-time records for viewership, sponsorship, merchandise and social media.
SummerSlam had traditionally been held in arenas, however yesterday’s (Thursday’s) announcement means that six consecutive editions are now due to be staged at NFL stadia. Prior to this year’s event, the 2021, 2022 and 2023 SummerSlams were held at Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders), Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans) and Ford Field (Detroit Lions), respectively.
Lucas Oil Stadium, home of Indianapolis Colts, is to stage WWE’s three largest stadium events, including next February’s Royal Rumble and the 2026 SummerSlam, it was announced in June. At that time, WWE said SummerSlam 2026 would be the first two-night event, but it has now brought these plans forward.
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