SCOTTSDALE, AZ – The Fiesta Bowl Organization has announced that the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl on January 2, 2021, will be played without fans in attendance at the stadium, other than immediate families of the teams participating in the game.
Based on recommendations from the Arizona Department of Health Services, the local jurisdictions decided not to allow fans at this year's game in efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.

"While we are disappointed that the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl will not have fans in the stadium to enjoy Bowl Season this year, we respect the decisions made by the local authorities," said Mike Nealy, Executive Director of the Fiesta Bowl Organization.

"Our staff was incredibly diligent to put health and safety measures in place that earned the endorsement from the Governor's Office for policies that aligned with recommendations for reducing COVID-19 transmission risk. Ultimately, we all need to do our part to ensure the health and safety of our community to reduce the spread of COVID-19."

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fiesta Bowl Organization has worked with the Arizona Governor's Office, Arizona Sports & Tourism Authority, health experts and ASM Global to create updated health and safety plans and protocols. These policies were designed to protect participants, staff, fans, media and vendors, while maintaining an entertaining fan experience. COVID-19 mitigation plans were reviewed and approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

"We have been looking forward to delivering another first-class fan experience for the 50^th Anniversary Fiesta Bowl," said Patrick Barkley, Fiesta Bowl Chairman of the Board. "We will welcome two fantastic teams to Arizona later this month and showcase our well-known hospitality to them, while putting together a game that millions of fans will watch live on ESPN."

Fast Facts about the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl:

• Saturday, January 2, 2021, at 2 pm at State Farm Stadium in Glendale
• Sports Illustrated ranked Fiesta Bowl games as number 1 and 3 in "The Greatest Bowl Games in College Football History"
• The Fiesta Bowl has hosted seven National Championships and 12 Heisman Trophy winners
• 2019 contest between Clemson and Ohio State was ranked the best game of 2019 by ESPN and the best bowl game by Yahoo! and Bleacher Report
• Some of college football's most talked-about moments came in the 50-year history of the Fiesta Bowl:
  • 2007 Fiesta Bowl where Boise State upset Oklahoma in dramatic fashion
  • 2005 Fiesta Bowl when Utah became the first non-power conference team to beat a power conference with its win over Pittsburgh
  • 2003 Fiesta Bowl national championship between Ohio State and Miami that went to overtime in a hotly-contested game
  • 1996 Fiesta Bowl in which Tommie Frazier created a highlight with a 75-yard touchdown run that many still talk about today
  • 1989 Fiesta Bowl as Notre Dame completed a perfect season and secured its most recent national championship
  • 1987 Fiesta Bowl was dubbed the "Game of the Century" and "Battle for Number 1" between Penn State and Miami in the first created national championship

 
ABOUT FIESTA BOWL
Since 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and our year-round events, such as the Fiesta Bowl Parade, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.
 
On the Web: www.FiestaBowl.org
Social Media: @Fiesta_Bowl
Media Contacts: Scott Leightman (sleightman@fiestabowl.org; 480.517.6291); Alex Nash (anash@fiestabowl.org; 480.350.0925)