Community Corner
Tampa International Airport Prepares To Welcome Super Bowl LV Teams, Visitors
The Feb. 7 event is expected to bring thousands of extra passengers and hundreds of private or charter jets to TPA.
![The Feb. 7 event is expected to bring thousands of extra passengers and hundreds of private or charter jets to TPA.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22976176/20210116/081520/styles/patch_image/public/1920-skylinewithrayjayinbackground___16201248067.jpg)
TAMPA, FL — After more than a year of planning, Tampa International Airport is preparing to welcome two NFL teams to its airfield and an influx of visitors to its terminals for Super Bowl LV. While the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted some shifting and changes to the game plan at times, TPA’s priorities on safety, cleanliness, customer service and operational efficiency have remained front and center.
The Feb. 7 event is expected to bring thousands of extra passengers and hundreds of private or charter jets to TPA’s general aviation facilities, with the heaviest activity taking place in the 24 hours following the game. Taxis and ride-sharing companies are expecting to handle approximately 5,000 additional pickups throughout Super Bowl week.
TPA has been working with several local, regional and national agencies and organizations, as well as its own concessionaires and other business partners, to ensure the best possible experience for Super Bowl LV organizers, players, fans and visitors. The last time Tampa hosted the Super Bowl was in 2009 and TPA has since handled passengers for several large events such as the 2012 Republican National Convention and the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game.
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Among some initiatives and efforts TPA guests may see leading up to Super Bowl LV are:
- Approximately 100 volunteers throughout the Airport to help visitors navigate the facilities and share information about the Tampa Bay area
- Greater Tampa International Airport Police presence and increased staff training, awareness and signage to spot signs and help prevent human trafficking
- Curbside check-in at both Red and Blue sides, as well as at the Rental Car Center, for convenient luggage drop-off and flight check-in service with most major airlines
- Coordination with TPA’s concessionaires to provide official Super Bowl LV and NFL team merchandise for sale to fans in the Main Terminal and Airside Terminals, as well as expanded hours of restaurants, bars and coffee shops
- Ongoing public reminders for Super Bowl travelers to adequately time their departures on a busy day
- Continued implementation of the Airport’s COVID-19 testing site and the TPA Ready program, which ensures increased cleaning and sanitization of TPA’s facilities and restrooms, mandated masks, social distancing, plastic shields at counters and kiosks and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19
For more information about TPA and Super Bowl LV, click here.