• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bring Football and Fans Back to Raymond James Stadium Safely

  • AdventHealth has played a large part in the Bucs’ ability to have fans.
  • Social distancing areas have been implemented throughout the stadium.
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As the NFL nears the halfway point of its 2020 regular season, the league has seen its share of positive COVID tests… but that’s not stopping the show. The reality is that positive tests have become part of the journey to the safe return to sports, and each team is taking measures to minimize risk for their players, staff and fans.

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened their doors to fans for their game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 4, Raymond James Stadium was ready. In partnership with AdventHealth, stadium staff and Bucs officials unveiled a carefully designed set of protocols for a safe and healthy gameday. 

For player and staff safety, the Bucs implemented procedures put in place by the NFL and NFLPA that include the required use of face masks at all times, hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility, plexiglass in meal service areas, restricted zones inside the facility to decrease the chance of cross-contamination and the use of contact tracing to monitor the team. Socially-distanced meeting spaces were installed where the team’s front offices once were, and the primary dining room is now outdoors. Player equipment is being cleaned daily with ultraviolet disinfectant to eliminate germs and bacteria.

“Our team staff and our players have been hyper vigilant—for themselves and for each other — as we all work together to bring Bucs football back to the fans in Tampa,” said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. ”I’m proud of this organization, our partnership with AdventHealth and all we have accomplished together in these unprecedented times.”

When the team is not at the facility, the Bucs are compliant with social restrictions put in place in a joint effort with the NFL. While on the road, players are not permitted to leave their hotel rooms. They may not share rides with teammates or staff or dine out in restaurants. All meals are prepared by serving staff and delivered directly to the players in their rooms. Community appearances have gone 100% virtual to reduce the risk of infection.

The fan experience at Raymond James Stadium looks a lot different, too. Game attendees are enjoying socially-distanced pod seating, touchless bathroom faucets, soap dispensers and toilets, UV lights on high touch areas like escalator handrails and elevators, cashless payment and ticketless transactions. 

“We know fans want to be in the stadium, and the best way for that to happen is to follow safety guidelines. We’re encouraging everyone to stand by the ‘Bucs Fan Promise,’” said Dr. Simon Edginton of AdventHealth. “Our collaboration with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a great example of how to effectively work as a team to keep people safe.” 

Fans are also benefiting from HEPA filtration in indoor areas and a strict cleaning and sanitation protocol throughout the building. Per Bucs leadership, the stadium is in the process of being accredited as a Global Biorisk Advisory Council Star Facility — the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response, and recovery accreditation for facilities.

“As the season continues, we will continue to work with local and state authorities as well as the league office to follow CDC guidelines so that we can remain vigilant for our fans, players and staff,” said Ford. “The health and safety of all of our fans and our team members is of the utmost important to us and our top priority.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Trey Smith, Chiefs Reach Record Deal Before Franchise Tag Deadline

Smith was taken by the Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2021 Draft.

NFL’s New Headsets Are Designed to Survive Coach Tantrums

New NFL coaching headsets underwent “extensive drop testing.”
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Sponsored

Game the Green: Transforming Fan Experiences at TPC Sawgrass

As fans gather at THE PLAYERS Championship, Comcast Business will be keeping spectators and the PGA TOUR connected like never before.
October 8, 2024

NBA GMs Rank Salary-Cap Apron As Rule That Needs to Change Most

Schedule changes finished second with 17% of the vote.
February 3, 2025

Super Bowl Ticket Prices Crash As Hotel Rooms See Historic Rate Hike

Prices sink by about 30%, due in part to a lodging crunch.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
September 8, 2024

US Open Breaks Attendance Record

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner beat No. 12 Taylor Fritz in straight sets Sunday.
Sponsored

Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways: Where Golf Meets Gourmet at the TOUR Championship

This year’s TOUR Championship in Atlanta isn’t just about world-class golf—it’s also a celebration of local flavors.
July 18, 2024

Loyal WNBA Fans Hit With Enormous Season-Ticket Price Hikes

Some season-ticket holders are seeing their prices doubled.
July 16, 2024

CONMEBOL, Hard Rock Stadium Continue Trading Blame Over Copa Disaster

Each blames the other for the security madness at Sunday’s final.