This year, the NFL is taking us back to the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX. We’ve got the New England Patriots facing off against the Seattle Seahawks. But before kickoff at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, there is an absolute gauntlet of events to get through. Here is your survival guide to the biggest week in sports.
The Schedule: A Week Of Hype and Highlights
Monday kicks off the madness, and the league isn’t wasting any time.
Monday, Feb. 2: Opening Night
- Where: San Jose Convention Center
- The Vibe: This used to be Media Day, where players answered questions about their spirit animals and favorite ice cream flavors. Now, it’s a primetime spectacle. Expect chaos, soundbites, and the first real look at the Pats and Seahawks facing the music.
Tuesday, Feb. 3: The Pro Bowl Games
- Where: Moscone Center, San Francisco
- The Vibe: We’ve moved past the “actual football game that nobody wants to play” era and into skills challenges. It is like a field day for millionaires. If you want to see linemen catch punts or QBs play dodgeball, this is your jam.
Thursday, Feb. 5: NFL Honors
- Where: Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
- The Vibe: The Oscars of football. This is where we find out who takes home MVP (and who gets snubbed). It’s black tie, it’s glitzy, and it’s usually good for a few awkward jokes from the host.
Saturday, Feb. 7: Flag Football & Celebrity Sightings
- Where: YouTube
- The Vibe: The Super Bowl 60 Flag Football Game is happening, coached by internet funny-man Druski and J. Balvin. It’s lighthearted, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect appetizer before the main course.
The Entertainment: Bad Bunny Brings the Heat
Let’s talk about the show within the show. The NFL has realized that halftime isn’t just a bathroom break; it’s a cultural event. This year, they’ve handed the keys to the “King of Latin Trap,” Bad Bunny.
He has been the most-streamed artist on Earth for years, and he knows how to put on a spectacle. Whether he brings out surprise guests or wrestles a mascot, it is going to be loud, colorful, and energetic at the Super Bowl.
But before the bunny hops, we’ve got some serious vocal power on deck:
- National Anthem: Charlie Puth. The pitch-perfect pop star is taking on the Star-Spangled Banner.
- America The Beautiful: Brandi Carlile. If you want goosebumps, she’s got you covered.
- Lift Every Voice and Sing: Coco Jones. The “Bel-Air” star and R&B powerhouse.
The Logistics: The “Bay Area Shuffle”
Here is the reality check for anyone traveling to the game: Levi’s Stadium is in Santa Clara. That is not San Francisco. In fact, it’s about 40 miles south. Organizers have turned the entire region into a Super Bowl campus. The 49ers’ home turf is hosting the game, but the parties, media centers, and fan experiences are scattered across San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.
The Super Bowl: Pats vs. Seahawks
At the end of the day, amidst the Druski coaching stints and Bad Bunny trap beats, a football game is going to break out.
It’s fitting that for the diamond anniversary, we get two franchises with massive pedigrees. Whether you’re rooting for New England to reclaim the throne or Seattle to fly high again in the Super Bowl, the atmosphere in Santa Clara is going to be electric.
