{{short description|Hosting of sporting events in a single, protected environment}} {{use Oxford spelling|date=January 2021}} [[File:Disney's Wide World of Sports (7426504780).jpg|thumb|The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has hosted several bubbles, including the NBA and Major League Soccer.]] A '''bio-secure bubble''', also known as a '''bubble''',<ref name="Benz">{{cite news|last=Benz|first=Tim|date=July 15, 2020|title=A look at how Toronto 'hockey bubble' will be set up for Penguins|work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|url=https://triblive.com/sports/a-look-at-how-toronto-hockey-bubble-will-be-set-up-for-penguins/|access-date=August 1, 2020}}</ref> or '''hub city''',<ref>{{Cite web|title=NHL hub cities of Edmonton, Toronto ready for Stanley Cup Qualifiers|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-gives-details-on-life-in-hub-cities-for-return-to-play/c-317602970|access-date=2021-02-13|website=NHL.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ralph|first=Dan|date=2020-07-21|title=Winnipeg named CFL hub city for 2020 season|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/winnipeg-named-cfl-hub-city-for-2020-season/|access-date=2021-02-13|website=Winnipeg|language=en}}</ref> is a hosting arrangement for sporting events, under which events were held at a centralized site, often behind closed doors, with strict quarantine and safety protocols in order to prevent the spread of illness. A bubble was established for a single sports season, tournament, or for an ongoing series of events, allowing them to still be held and made available to broadcast audiences.
== Aspects == [[File:Grand-Floridian-NBA-Bubble-Fence-2020-Jul-03 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Aerial photo of the blue NBA Bubble fence through Disney's Grand Floridian. This fence isolated player lodging (bottom) from any members of the public staying at the rest of the hotel (top).]] A bio-secure bubble typically consisted of multiple sites comprising a secure perimeter (often near each other), including player residences (such as hotels), training facilities, and the venue proper. All participants, including players, team staff, and other staff (such as broadcasting staff present on-site) were screened and tested for COVID-19 before entering the bubble,<ref name=":0" /> live within its confines for the duration of the event, and were prohibited from leaving the perimeter until they had completed play. The participants were screened and tested regularly for COVID-19, and restricted from access to and by the general public. Participants were reprimanded and penalized if they breached biosecurity protocols while within the bubble.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|author=Staff Writer|date=2020-09-17|title=What are 'bio-secure bubbles'? The new normal for cricket tournaments|url=https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/what-are-bio-secure-bubbles-the-new-normal-for-cricket-tournaments-11600321505377.html|access-date=2020-12-07|website=mint|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Benz"/>
As they were usually held without public spectators, events within a bubble were typically produced with television audiences in mind, and broadcasters were able to employ production techniques not possible in a typical venue with fans, such as different camera angles (including drone cameras)<ref name="Dachman">{{Cite web|last=Dachman|first=Jason|title=MLS Is Back Tournament: ESPN's Host-Feed Production Features Unprecedented Tech Arsenal|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/07/08/mls-is-back-tournament-espns-host-feed-production-features-unprecedented-tech-arsenal/|access-date=July 9, 2020|website=Sports Video Group|date=8 July 2020 }}</ref> and enhanced microphone configurations.<ref name=":04">{{Cite web|last=Dachman|first=Jason|date=July 30, 2020|title=NBA Returns: ESPN, Turner, NBA Team Up for Sprawling, COVID-Safe Production at Wide World of Sports|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/07/30/nba-returns-espn-turner-nba-team-up-for-sprawling-covid-safe-production-at-wide-world-of-sports/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924154124/https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/07/30/nba-returns-espn-turner-nba-team-up-for-sprawling-covid-safe-production-at-wide-world-of-sports/|archive-date=September 24, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2020|website=Sports Video Group|language=en}}</ref> The venue was customized with video boards and artificial crowd noise to simulate the experience of the designated home team's venue,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Wyshynski|first=Greg|date=July 24, 2020|title=NHL broadcasts to feature 5-second delay, video game cheering|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29527286/nhl-broadcasts-feature-5-second-delay-video-game-cheering|access-date=July 24, 2020|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN Inc.|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":05">{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2020|title=NHL releases details about life in hub cities, in-game presentation|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-releases-details-life-hub-cities-game-presentation/|access-date=July 23, 2020|website=Sportsnet.ca|publisher=Rogers Sports & Media}}</ref> and display mosaics of "virtual" fans via videoconferencing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Medina|first=Mark|date=July 24, 2020|title=NBA to feature 'virtual fans' at arenas for season restart|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2020/07/24/nba-virtual-fans-seen-giant-video-boards-during-games/5502996002/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924154018/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2020/07/24/nba-virtual-fans-seen-giant-video-boards-during-games/5502996002/|archive-date=September 24, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=USA Today}}</ref>
==Usage==
=== Basketball === Taiwan's Super Basketball League was the first basketball league in the world to move competition into a bubble setting in order to complete the season.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Marc|date=April 10, 2020|title=Can the N.B.A. Learn From Taiwan's Basketball Bubble?|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/sports/basketball/taiwan-pro-basketball.html|accessdate=February 5, 2021}}</ref>
The National Basketball Association was among the first major American sports leagues to suspend play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 26, 2020|title=Coronavirus cancellations and reactions in sports|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/28871525/coronavirus-cancellations-reactions-sports|access-date=June 28, 2020|website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus pandemic causes NBA to suspend season after player tests positive|url=https://www.nba.com/news/coronavirus-pandemic-causes-nba-suspend-season|access-date=2021-05-19|website=www.nba.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Cacciola|first1=Scott|last2=Deb|first2=Sopan|date=2020-03-12|title=N.B.A. Suspends Season After Player Tests Positive for Coronavirus|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/sports/basketball/nba-season-suspended-coronavirus.html|access-date=2021-05-19|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In June 2020, the league's board of governors approved a plan to complete the remainder of the 2019–20 season, including the remaining regular season games and the playoffs, within a centralized bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Orlando, Florida's Walt Disney World.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-04|title=NBA approves 22-team format to finish season|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29267294/source-nba-approves-plan-return-orlando|access-date=2021-02-14|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref> Players were housed in three of Walt Disney World's resorts,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Medworth|first=Whitney|date=June 16, 2020|title=Every Disney hotel NBA teams are staying in, explained|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2020/6/16/21293622/disney-hotels-nba-players-florida|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924154112/https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2020/6/16/21293622/disney-hotels-nba-players-florida|archive-date=September 24, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=SB Nation}}</ref> and games were held at one of three arenas within the complex (with one, the AdventHealth Arena, designated as the flagship venue to host nationally televised games and the final rounds of the playoffs).<ref name=":04"/>
=== Combat sports === The mixed martial arts promotion UFC established a bubble known as "Fight Island" to conduct international events, which comprised a quarantine zone on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and used the du Forum concert venue as its competition site.<ref name="bbcsports">{{Cite web|author=Ben Collins|date=2020-07-10|title=UFC 251: 'Beautiful, surreal, insane' - what's Fight Island really like?|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/53357610|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710184039/https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/53357610 |archive-date=2020-07-10 |access-date=|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> UFC later returned to Yas Island to hold UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar in January 2021; although branded as a Fight Island card, the event was held with limited spectators at the newly opened Etihad Arena instead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-10 |title=Etihad Arena lists official COVID-19 safety measures for fans at January UFC Fight Island shows |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/1/10/22223333/etihad-arena-lists-official-covid-19-safety-measures-for-fans-at-january-ufc-fight-island-shows |access-date=2021-03-13 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Staff |date=2021-01-07 |title=Fans are back: UFC will have 'limited' attendance at three-card 'Fight Island' stint at Etihad Arena |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/ufc-limited-fans-attendance-etihad-arena-fight-island-mma-conor-mcgregor-dustin-poirier |access-date=2021-01-07 |website=MMA Junkie |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Newswire |date=2021-01-10 |title=Etihad Arena lists official COVID-19 safety measures for fans at January UFC Fight Island shows |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/1/10/22223333/etihad-arena-lists-official-covid-19-safety-measures-for-fans-at-january-ufc-fight-island-shows |access-date=2021-01-11 |website=MMA Fighting |publisher=}}</ref>
===Cricket=== The July 2020 test series between England and West Indies was conducted as a bubble, with players staying in a hotel on-site.<ref name="BBC Sport">{{Cite news|title=What next for England and cricket's bio-bubbles?|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55222145|access-date=2021-02-14}}</ref> On 16 July 2020 during the morning of the second Test, Jofra Archer was excluded from England's squad after breaching COVID-19 protocols by leaving to his home after the first Test. Archer was fined, and ordered to self-isolate for five days before returning.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jofra Archer excluded from second England-West Indies Test|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53419676|accessdate=2020-12-07|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Archer trip could have been 'disaster'|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53435308|access-date=2021-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jofra Archer: England bowler fined and given written warning by ECB|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53456667|accessdate=2020-12-07|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
The 2020 Indian Premier League was re-located to bubbles in the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IPL in times of COVID-19: Bio-bubble explained|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/sports/2020/08/13/ipl-in-times-of-covid-19-bio-bubble-explained.html|access-date=2021-02-14|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-06|title=IPL 2020: Is the IPL's bio-bubble a safe zone?|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ipl-2020-is-the-ipl-s-bio-bubble-a-safe-zone/story-zVuPrBqK6PL1kyyvHpHCtN.html|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
The first One Day International (ODI) in England's tour of South Africa on 4 December 2020 was postponed to 6 December after a South African player tested positive for COVID-19; matches were being held in Newlands and Paarl, with players staying at a hotel in Cape Town. The match was called off after two employees of the quarantine hotel tested positive. Two English players were also reported to have unconfirmed cases, after which the second ODI on 7 December was postponed. On 7 December, the remainder of the ODI series was called off.<ref>{{cite web|title=South Africa-England ODI called off amid Covid scare|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30447585/south-africa-vs-england,-1st-odi,-cape-town-match-danger-being-called-off|access-date=4 December 2020|work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref><ref name="BBC Sport"/><ref>{{cite news|title=South Africa v England: First ODI called off again after positive Covid tests|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55192041|access-date=6 December 2020|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=7 December 2020|title=South Africa v England: ODI series called off after Covid-19 tests|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55209140|access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref>
=== Curling === Curling Canada hosted most national championships for the 2020–21 curling season, including the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, 2021 Tim Hortons Brier, and the World Men's and Women's championships, at a bubble using the Markin MacPhail Centre at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary. All events were held behind closed doors.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Jesse Campigotto|date=December 2, 2020|title=What we know and don't know about the curling bubble|work=CBC Sports|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/the-buzzer-calgary-curling-bubble-1.5825905|access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-01|title=World Men's Curling Championship 2021 to be held in Canadian hub city|url=http://worldcurling.org/2020/12/world-mens-hub-city/|access-date=2021-01-16|website=World Curling Federation|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118074955/http://worldcurling.org/2020/12/world-mens-hub-city/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Soccer=== Major League Soccer conducted an in-season tournament—the MLS is Back Tournament—at a bubble within the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.<ref name="Dachman"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 7, 2020|title=ESPN looking to "own the morning" with MLS Is Back Tournament|url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/espn-looking-to-own-the-morning-with-mls-is-back-tournament/|access-date=July 9, 2020|website=SportBusiness}}</ref>
The 2020 Chinese Super League split its teams between Dalian and Suzhou.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Football: Back in the bubble, Chinese Super League into playoff stages|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/football-back-in-the-bubble-chinese-super-league-into-playoff-13320486|access-date=2021-02-14|website=CNA|language=en}}</ref> The Philippines Football League is noted for hosting its 2020 season in just under two weeks under a bubble with a downsized format, due to financial and logistics issues caused by the pandemic.<ref>{{cite news|date=29 October 2020|title=The two-week season: coronavirus shrinks the PFL|language=en|work=ABS-CBN News|agency=Agence France-Presse|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/29/20/the-two-week-season-coronavirus-shrinks-the-pfl|access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref>
=== Ice hockey === [[File:Rogers Place, Edmonton, June 6, 2024.jpg|thumb|Rogers Place served as a bubble venue throughout the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs and 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.]]
The National Hockey League established a bubble in two Canadian cities to conduct its 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, with Eastern Conference teams being initially hubbed at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and Western Conference teams being hubbed out of Rogers Place in Edmonton. Beginning with the conference finals, all games were played in Edmonton, including the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals.<ref name="SN_RTP">{{Cite web|last=Johnston|first=Chris|date=July 10, 2020|title=NHL is back in business with ratification of CBA, return-to-play plan|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-nhlpa-vote-accept-cba-return-play-plan-protocols/|access-date=July 12, 2020|website=Sportsnet.ca|publisher=Rogers Sports & Media}}</ref><ref name=":05"/>
The 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships were originally awarded to Edmonton and Red Deer. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the IIHF established a bubble for the tournament and hosted it solely at Rogers Place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=September 17, 2020|title=World Juniors will be hosted in an Edmonton bubble: TSN|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/edmonton-bubble-to-host-2021-world-juniors/|access-date=September 17, 2020|website=CTV News Edmonton|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=IIHF announces 2021 world juniors will be played in Edmonton bubble|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/iihf-announces-2021-world-juniors-will-played-edmonton-bubble/|access-date=September 17, 2020|website=Sportsnet.ca|date=17 September 2020 }}</ref>
=== Professional wrestling === WWE introduced an arena residence inspired by bubbles in August 2020 known as the "ThunderDome", which became the home arena for its major pay-per-view events and weekly programs (such as ''Raw and'' ''SmackDown'')''.'' It replaced the smaller studio of the WWE Performance Center, a training facility where WWE originated the majority of its programming since the onset of the pandemic. Its stage featured a virtual audience displayed on a grandstand constructed from rows of LED screens, and it was promoted as featuring an in-arena production on par with WWE's pay-per-view events before the pandemic.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> The ThunderDome was initially situated at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|title=WWE Turning Orlando's Amway Center into 'WWE ThunderDome'|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2020/08/17/wwe-summerslam-location-amway-center-orlando|access-date=2020-08-17|magazine=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=2020-08-17|title=WWE to Establish 'ThunderDome' Residency in Orlando's Amway Center|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wwe-amway-center-thunderdome-1234736530/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> In December 2020, WWE relocated to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, as Amway Center was needed by the arena's sports tenants.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=2020-11-19|title=WWE to Move ThunderDome to Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/wwe-thunderdome-tropicana-field-tampa-bay-1234835162/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2021, after holding WrestleMania 37 as its first major in-person show since the onset of the pandemic, WWE relocated the ThunderDome setup to Yuengling Center on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa, as Tropicana Field was needed by the Tampa Bay Rays.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Randall|date=2021-03-24|title=WWE Moves ThunderDome to USF's Yuengling Center|url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2021/wwe-moves-thunderdome-yuengling-center-1234625524/|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Sportico.com|language=en-US}}</ref> In mid-July, WWE resumed its live touring shows.<ref name=":35">{{Cite web|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=2021-05-21|title=WWE To Resume Live Tours With 25-City Slate Through Labor Day|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/wwe-raw-smackdown-live-tours-25-cities-july-16-texas-1234761815/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref>
Other professional wrestling promotions similarly held shows behind closed doors. All Elite Wrestling (AEW) held empty arena shows at Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Florida (with a brief few weeks in March–April 2020 at The Nightmare Factory, AEW's ''de facto'' training facility in Norcross, Georgia). To make up for not being able to have live fans, employees and contracted wrestlers served as the live audience during matches in which they were not involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/03/13/aew-moves-show-from-rochester-to-jacksonville-due-to-coronavirus/|title=AEW moves show from Rochester to Jacksonville due to coronavirus|last=Mealey|first=Jason|date=13 March 2020|website=WJXT|language=en|access-date=22 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Georgia">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/04/03/aew-taped-weeks-of-television-georgia-state-official-attended-this-weeks-taping/|title=AEW taped weeks of television, Georgia state official attended this week's taping|last=Papaleo|first=Dennis|date=3 April 2020|website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|language=en-US|access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref> In July, AEW began experimenting with invited guests in selected seating areas for a plan towards allowing ticketed spectators. Episodes were done in consecutive days so wrestlers can spend two days every other week. In August, with NASCAR Holdings having successfully held two Daytona International Speedway race meetings (one IMSA and one NASCAR) and one IMSA meeting at Sebring International Raceway, AEW began to readmit a limited number of fans (10–15% venue capacity),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allelitewrestling.com/post/important-information-for-fans-attending-live-events|title=Important Information for Fans Attending Live Events|work=All Elite Wrestling|author=AEW Staff|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref> with a gradual increase in spectators running frequently before running full capacity shows in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/146563/aew-double-or-nothing-2021-ppv-notes.html?p=1|title=Double or Nothing 2021 PPV notes|work=PWInsider|first=Mike|last=Johnson|date=May 5, 2021|accessdate=May 7, 2021}}</ref> AEW resumed live touring in July 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Middleton |first1=Marc |title=AEW Announces Return To Touring, Tony Khan Comments |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/05/aew-announces-return-to-touring-tony-khan-comments/ |website=Wrestling Inc. |access-date=June 8, 2021 |date=May 10, 2021}}</ref>
=== Outside of sports === Television and film director Tyler Perry used a bubble model to resume production at his Tyler Perry Studios in Georgia, United States in July 2020, with season 2 of his BET comedy drama ''Sistas'' being the first scripted primetime series in the U.S. to complete a season of production under COVID-19 protocols. The studio is situated on the site of the former Fort McPherson military base, with cast and crew staying and quarantining in the various historic homes, barracks, and permanent sets on the lot, which include a replica of the White House and a "neighborhood" of functioning houses. This arrangement was aided by the quicker turnaround time of Perry's productions in comparison to other television series, as well as his productions rarely performing location shoots outside of the lot.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2020-07-29|title=Tyler Perry Gives Progress Report On Producing His Shows During Pandemic, Shares His Hope For The Industry & The Country|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/tyler-perry-production-atlanta-sistas-the-oval-quarantine-bubble-1202998473/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729225503/https://deadline.com/2020/07/tyler-perry-production-atlanta-sistas-the-oval-quarantine-bubble-1202998473/ |archive-date=2020-07-29 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2020-04-27|title=Reopening Hollywood: Tyler Perry Lays Out Plan To Safely Restart Production At His Atlanta Studio|url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/tyler-perry-production-plan-coronavirus-atlanta-studio-1202917968/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427182730/https://deadline.com/2020/04/tyler-perry-production-plan-coronavirus-atlanta-studio-1202917968/ |archive-date=2020-04-27 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Buckley|first=Cara|date=October 2, 2019|title=Tyler Perry Builds a New Kingdom, With Madea Behind Him|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/movies/tyler-perry-atlanta.html}}</ref>
== Reception == The use of bubbles by major professional leagues in North America have been considered largely effective; the National Basketball Association<ref>{{cite web|last=Pegher|first=Kelcie|date=October 12, 2020|title=Coronavirus Today: The NBA's bubble worked|url=https://www.latimes.com/science/newsletter/2020-10-12/coronavirus-today-nba-bubble-success-covid-lakers-coronavirus-today|access-date=October 12, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> and National Hockey League<ref>{{cite news|last=Spector|first=Mark|date=September 29, 2020|title=Completion of Stanley Cup Playoffs an achievement worth celebrating|website=Sportsnet.ca|publisher=Rogers Media|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/completion-stanley-cup-playoffs-achievement-worth-celebrating/|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> did not record any new cases of COVID-19 within their respective bubbles during the duration of competitions staged there. By contrast, the 2020 regular seasons of Major League Baseball and the NFL—which had teams travelling to individual venues as usual (albeit with MLB realigning its schedule to reduce travel)—were affected by outbreaks among players that led to various postponed games.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kilgore|first=Adam|title=After 256 games and a few close calls, the NFL's pandemic regular season comes to an end|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/01/03/nfl-pandemic-regular-season-ends/|access-date=2021-01-05|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=MLB schedule has 43 total games postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-schedule-has-43-total-games-postponed-due-to-positive-covid-19-cases/|access-date=2021-02-14|website=CBSSports.com|date=15 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Major League Baseball eventually decided to use a neutral site model for its 2020 postseason in order to reduce the chance of further disruption, with games split between venues in California and Texas beginning with the Division Series round, and the 2020 World Series held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Most games were held behind closed doors, except for the National League Championship Series and World Series in Arlington, which hosted spectators at 25% of the new stadium's capacity.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=MLB sets playoff bubbles: Schedule, neutral-site locations and everything else to know for 2020 postseason|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-sets-playoff-bubbles-schedule-neutral-site-locations-and-everything-else-to-know-for-2020-postseason/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917103030/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-sets-playoff-bubbles-schedule-neutral-site-locations-and-everything-else-to-know-for-2020-postseason/ |archive-date=2020-09-17 |access-date=2020-09-19|website=CBS Sports|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Axisa|first=Mike|date=September 30, 2020|title=MLB will allow fans to attend 2020 World Series, NLCS at Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field|website=CBS Sports|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-will-allow-fans-to-attend-2020-world-series-nlcs-at-texas-rangers-globe-life-field/|access-date=2021-02-14}}</ref> There were examples of failed bubbles leading to outbreaks during The Spring League (an American football league's) autumn 2020 season<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2214232/2020/11/23/the-spring-league-halts-amid-outbreak-releases-players-without-exit-tests/|title=The Spring League halts amid outbreak, releases players without exit tests |last1=Kaplan |first1=Daniel }}</ref> and the winter 2021 season of the National Women's Hockey League.<ref name="Feb4 Ingemi">{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article/nwhl-suspends-season-due-covid-remains-hopeful-complete/ |title=NWHL suspends season due to COVID, remains hopeful to complete it |website=Sportsnet.ca |date=February 3, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204140712/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article/nwhl-suspends-season-due-covid-remains-hopeful-complete/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Concerns have been raised over "bubble fatigue", as players are isolated from their families and the outside world for an extended period of time until the event concludes or they are eliminated.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wawrow|first=John|date=August 24, 2020|title=Bubble fatigue cited as mental challenge during NHL playoffs|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/bubble-fatigue-cited-as-mental-challenge-during-nhl-playoffs-1.5697628|url-status=live|access-date=August 24, 2020|publisher=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825002149/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/bubble-fatigue-cited-as-mental-challenge-during-nhl-playoffs-1.5697628 |archive-date=2020-08-25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Stress of bio-secure bubbles: Sam Curran expects players to 'pull out at different stages'|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30228272/ipl-2020-stress-bio-secure-bubbles-csk-sam-curran-expects-players-pull-different-stages|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101043031/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30228272/ipl-2020-stress-bio-secure-bubbles-csk-sam-curran-expects-players-pull-different-stages |archive-date=2020-11-01 |access-date=2020-12-07|website=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> IPL player Shikhar Dhawan described the experience as being "almost like ''Bigg Boss'' [the Indian version of ''Big Brother'']"'','' and a test of his "mental strength".<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 16, 2020|title=IPL 2020 bio-secure bubble almost like living in 'Big Boss' house, jokes Shikhar Dhawan|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/ipl-2020/story/ipl-bio-bubble-like-living-in-big-boss-house-says-shikhar-dhawan-delhi-capitals-1722429-2020-09-16|access-date=2020-12-07|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
== See also ==
== References == {{Reflist}}{{COVID-19 pandemic}}
Category:Cricket terminology Category:Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports Category:Infection-control measures Category:Sports terminology