Super Bowl 56 is scheduled to be played on Sunday, February 13th, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. However, due to Omicron levels in Southern California, the NFL is looking at venue alternatives.
One possibility–perhaps the frontrunner–is AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. But let’s not get ahead of the evolving story. That’s because I think the game will be played at SoFi as scheduled. Here’s why.
At issue isn’t just the Super Bowl, but playoff games that come before it. SoFi Stadium is the home of the Los Angeles Rams, the leader of the NFL West ((12-4 at press time), and the NFC #2-seed going into Sunday’s game with the 49ers. That means one or more playoff games will be played at SoFi.
Unless relocation comes earlier, I don’t see how or why the Super Bowl won’t be played there. Granted, there is a significant influx of people for the SB, both in size and variety, that wouldn’t attend a playoff game. But, still, something drastic, such as a declared public health emergency, would have to happen for the game to be played elsewhere.
I’m sure Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would love it to have the game played at AT&T. Local leaders would likely be supportive, too, when you think about the impact in terms of the revenue it would generate locally.
Will we see a change of stadiums? I don’t think so.
