Top contenders? Miami, LA, Atlanta look to host Super Bowls
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The NFL is expected to award three future Super Bowls - 2019, 2020 and 2021 - at the league's owners meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday. Atlanta, Miami and Los Angeles are considered the leading candidates. Atlanta and Los Angeles are in the process of building new stadiums, while Miami is undergoing a $450 million renovation. New Orleans and Tampa are bidding to host the Super Bowl.
A look at what the leading candidates are bringing to the table:
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MIAMI
There are some obvious reasons why Miami has been a Super Bowl site favorite in the past, and the same reasons apply now: The weather, having two major airports within about a half-hour of the stadium and a proven history of pulling off big events.
And now Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross would point to $450 million in upgrades as the latest lure.
The stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida is in the midst of getting a new look, most notably new video screens at four corners of the facility and a canopy roof that will serve as protection from the elements. Those upgrades did result in the stadium's capacity being trimmed by about 10,000 seats - a significant downside that could work against South Florida's bid hopes.
Still, the area has hosted 10 Super Bowls in the past and even though it famously rained on Prince's halftime show in 2010 - the last time a Super Bowl was held in South Florida - there's usually been no complaints about having to come to Miami.
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LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles is a considered a strong contender to receive a Super Bowl bid in either 2020 or 2021 following owner Stan Kroenke receiving approval to move the Rams from St. Louis earlier this year.
Kroenke is helping to build a new $2.6 billion retractable roof stadium in Inglewood, California, slated to be completed in 2019. The stadium will seat 70,000 people, but can be expanded to hold an additional 10,000 for the Super Bowl. The stadium is located on 289 acres of land and the project includes a 300-room hotel and 6,000-seat performing arts center.
The Los Angeles area has previously hosted seven Super Bowls, including five at the Rose Bowl and two at the Coliseum.
It has not hosted the game since 1993.
There are abundant hotels in the area and the city features one of the largest airports in the United States.
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ATLANTA
Atlanta is a two-time Super Bowl host (1994 and 2000) and heavily favored to land the big game for the third time, largely based on a new $1.4 billion retractable roof stadium that is scheduled to open in 2017.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has already helped the city land college football's national championship game in 2018 and the men's basketball Final Four in 2020.
Atlanta has an abundance of hotel rooms and plenty of experience hosting big events, including the 1996 Summer Olympics.
The winter weather can be a bit persnickety - the city was struck by an ice storm during the 2000 Super Bowl - but that shouldn't be enough to keep the NFL from bringing its showcase back to Atlanta.
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