Tuesday 23 May 2017 22:33, UK
NFL team owners have voted to move Super Bowl LV in 2021 from Los Angeles to Tampa after a delay in the opening of the Rams' new stadium.
Stan Kroenke's Rams, who are financing the 70,240-capacity football stadium in Inglewood, California, are set to share the venue with the Los Angeles Chargers but its opening has been pushed back one year to 2020, instead of 2019, due to record rainfall hindering necessary excavation.
That led to the vote among team owners at the Spring League meeting on Tuesday as NFL rules stipulate a stadium cannot host a Super Bowl in its inaugural season, with the event moving to Tampa's Raymond James Stadium instead before the LA venue hosts Super Bowl LVI the following year in 2022.
"The Tampa Bay area has enjoyed great success over the years hosting Super Bowls and we look forward to working with our local leaders in the coming months to meet the requirements for hosting Super Bowl LV in 2021," Tampa Bay Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer said.
"Today's announcement offers us the opportunity to showcase Tampa Bay's unique ability to come together as a host for world-class events."
The Rams are likely to stay at the LA Coliseum for the 2019 season, with the Chargers staying at the 30,000-seat StubHub Center in 2019.