Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium is a backup venue to host next month’s Super Bowl
AT&T Stadium could be an emergency host to the Super Bowl, according to a source with the Dallas Cowboys.
If Super Bowl LVI, which is scheduled for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Cali.f, on Feb. 13, needs to be moved because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Cowboys’ stadium in Arlington is one of the potential replacement spots.
The NFL routinely identifies stadiums as potential backup facilities for the game.
“We plan on playing Super Bowl LVI as scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13,” said Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s vice president of communications. “As part of our standard contingency planning process that we conduct for all regular and postseason games, we have contacted several clubs to inquire about stadium availability in the event we cannot play the Super Bowl as scheduled due to weather-related issues or unforeseen circumstances. Our planning process for the Super Bowl in Los Angeles is ahead of schedule and we look forward to hosting the Super Bowl there to culminate another fantastic NFL season for our fans and clubs.”
A year ago, the Rose Bowl game, which was a College Football semifinal, was forced to move from Pasadena, Calif., to AT&T Stadium after California instituted COVID restrictions.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said the city is prepared, if necessary, but has yet to be contacted by the NFL or Cowboys.
“Over the last two years of the COVID experience, the City of Arlington has been in periodic communication with the NFL and Cowboys as a resource for any contingency planning needs,” Ross said in a release. “Should the NFL need support for any continuity of their operations, we will assist.”
The Super Bowl was last held in North Texas in 2011.
TCU, which was the practice site for the Pittsburgh Steelers before Super Bowl XLV in 2011, has not been contacted by the NFL as a potential practice site should the contingency plan be needed. But a TCU source said the school would be ready and willing to serve as a practice site if asked.
TCU hosted the New Orleans Saints earlier this season when the team was displaced by Hurricane Ida.
Drew Davison contribute to this report.
This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 1:38 PM.
