TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - FIRST HOME GAME 2026-2027…read more
ARRIVAL - LOT A/3D. VIP / DISABLED PARKING
(1) The car line for the Lot A/3D, VIP/disabled parking area was long. One person accepting tickets. There appeared to be nobody actively guiding vehicles.
(2) There were also temporary signs throughout the area stating "NO RIDESHARE DROP OFF." The signs were clearly visible, but we observed what appeared to be little or no enforcement.
GATE A - ACCESSIBILITY
(3) A disabled family member was separated from their assisted device. Why separate someone from a walker, wheelchair, oxygen tank, cane, or another medically necessary device?
(4) We entered, received our free shirts, and continued to our seats. Woohoo!!!
S.A.F.E. STAFF
(5) CAPTAIN'S CORNER - SECTION 151 - simply the best in the business!
We love their positive attitudes--the smiles, laughs, and energy they bring to the stadium. Not just (again) today but for years!!!
(6) That leads to one small suggestion for Raymond James Stadium:
Please have employees wear their identification horizontally and in a position where guests can easily read their names. Maybe your next new set of ID's have larger font to recognize from afar.
When someone provides outstanding service, guests should be able to recognize that employee by name.
(7) THE GAME
As for the game itself, it was memorable.
It was typical hot Florida weather, and we had no complaints regarding the game itself or the game-related events and entertainment. My favorite is the National Anthem leading to the F35's flyover and ending with fireworks!!! Love it!
(8) Then everything changed at the two-minute warning.
THE WEATHER DELAY
At 4:00 PM, with 2:00 remaining in the game, a weather delay was announced.
Obviously, nobody controls Florida weather. When lightning is involved, safety has to come first. My criticism isn't that the game was delayed.
The issue was communication during the delay.
After 4:30 PM, there still had been no meaningful update, and the stadium employees we spoke with did not appear to have additional information either. We were told to shelter and that was it. (See images)
We began searching online ourselves and found information suggesting--without confirmation from the stadium--that the lightning safety clock essentially resets following another nearby lightning strike.
At approximately 5:00 PM, I texted the BUCS asking for an update.
This is the exact text response we received:
"We are waiting on another update! As soon as we have an estimated timeframe, we will make an announcement.
There is not an update yet but as soon as we have more details we will make an announcement. For now, shelter in place."
So while guests were simultaneously asking for information, the response indicated that those assisting guests were themselves still waiting for additional information.
Eventually, an announcement was made that the delay would continue until 5:30 PM.
At that point, we made the decision to leave.
(9) STADIUM CONDITIONS DURING THE DELAY
The extended delay also exposed another issue that I believe deserves attention:
This venue needs upgrades!!!
While speaking with customer service, we were actually getting drizzled on- more a constant mist.
As we walked through portions of the stadium, water was dripping in various areas. During an event where thousands of people are specifically being instructed to shelter in place, those covered concourse areas become particularly important.
There was also an unpleasant trash odor in one area.
To the workers' credit, they were actively removing trash. However, there appeared to be a breakdown somewhere in the process because when I left that area, bags of removed trash were still sitting on the floor.
Under ordinary circumstances, perhaps these things wouldn't stand out as much. During a prolonged weather delay, however, everyone is pushed into the concourses and sheltered areas. That's when issues involving leaks, cleanliness, odor, crowd movement, and communication become much more noticeable.
(10) LEAVING RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM
Despite the challenges, there were some genuinely outstanding people working at Raymond James Stadium who deserve recognition, and there were parts of the experience we thoroughly enjoyed.
There were five-star employees throughout the stadium. The game-day entertainment was enjoyable. But the overall experience also highlighted areas that can and should improve--particularly VIP/disabled parking management, accessibility procedures, communication during extended emergencies/weather delays, and the stadium infrastructure available to guests when everyone is instructed to shelter in place.
Go Bucs!