Super Bowl 2022: These corona rules apply in the stadium

Finals in the NFL
These corona rules apply to the Super Bowl in Los Angeles

More than 70,000 spectators in a stadium – at Borussia Dortmund one would be happy about such a load. Because of the corona restrictions, only 10,000 visitors are currently allowed in Signal Iduna Park, only around an eighth of the possible capacity. The situation is different in the USA, where the Super Bowl is played in the Sofi Stadium in the night from Sunday to Monday. 70,240 visitors are expected at the major sporting event, so the brand new stadium in Los Angeles County is sold out.

And that, although the pandemic is still raging in the USA – albeit weaker than in Germany. According to the “New York Times”, there were 205,000 new infections across the country on Thursday, significantly fewer than were reported in Germany (248,000). Things looked different in mid-January: With more than 1.4 million new infections, a single record was reported on January 10, but the numbers have been falling rapidly since then. In Los Angeles, the seven-day incidence on Thursday was 515.9 – and falling.

Mask requirement at the Super Bowl 2022 in the Sofi Stadium

But that doesn’t mean that all corona restrictions will be lifted immediately in California. Hard cuts still apply at the Super Bowl and in Los Angeles itself. As the “LA Times” reported, all spectators over the age of two must wear a mask during the game, regardless of their vaccination or recovery status. This can only be removed at short notice when eating or drinking. FFP2 masks will be distributed to visitors at the entrance, so that really everyone has protection.

The mask alone is not enough: Only those who are fully vaccinated or can present a negative test from the day can enter the stadium. However, this must come from an official test center and is not exactly cheap: Private PCR tests cost around 100 dollars (88 euros) in the USA. There will also be a testing center at the Sofi Stadium, where the results will be available after 30 minutes. Cost per test: 59 dollars (around 52 euros) – almost a bargain considering ticket prices from 5000 dollars upwards. The requirements apply to all visitors from the age of five – at the beginning of November the vaccine for children under twelve years of age was released in the USA, Germany only followed suit in mid-December.

Strict rules in Los Angeles

Strict rules apply not only in the stadium, but also in LA County, where Los Angeles and Sofi Stadium in Inglewood are located. Because at major events, masks must already be worn on the forecourts of the stadium, as well as in local public transport, restaurants and bars. If you want to go to breweries or nightclubs, you have to carry proof of vaccination with you – many cafés, bars or fitness studios also require this upon entry.