NFL announces Super Bowl LV will have 22K fans

The NFL announced on Friday that Super Bowl LV will have about 22,000 fans in attendance, including 7,500 vaccinated health care workers.

The league is inviting the health care workers from Tampa and the central Florida area as guests to honor them for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NFL said the health care workers — who will have been fully inoculated — will receive free tickets from the league. Health care workers will be recognized with tributes during the CBS broadcast.

“These dedicated health care workers continue to put their own lives at risk to serve others, and we owe them our ongoing gratitude,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

“We hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes. This is also an opportunity to promote the importance of vaccination and appropriate health practices, including wearing masks in public settings.”

There will also be an additional 14,500 fans in attendance. Among the protocols put in place include mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, podded seating, and touchless in-stadium experiences.

The game is scheduled for Feb. 7, and will take place at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.