The 50th-anniversary Fiesta Bowl is scheduled to be played in Glendale in less than a month.
Organizers say this elite college football game will be played in front of empty seats at State Farm Stadium.
Normal stadium capacity is more than 63,000, and the West-Valley venue can expand to hold roughly 73,000 people for mega events like a Super Bowl.
Fiesta Bowl organizers say based on recommendations made by state health officials, local authorities have chosen to not allow fans in the stands for the contest scheduled for Jan. 2.
The decision is yet another blow to Arizona’s tourism and hospitality industry that’s been pummeled by the pandemic.
In a news release, the Fiesta Bowl’s executive director said staff had worked hard to come up with ways to keep fans safe. But in the end everyone must do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19.