The Super Bowl returns to Santa Clara in 2026, but San Francisco will once again play host to much of the fanfare leading up to the Big Game, while San Jose will reprise its role in kicking off the week of pageantry. NFL and Bay Area Host Committee officials announced the long-awaited lineup on Monday morning, which includes the return of both the Super Bowl Experience and the media hub to downtown San Francisco's Moscone Center.
Last week, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium booked country star Chris Stapleton for the night before the game. On Tuesday, the NFL got in on the action, announcing a Sting concert on the Friday of Super Bowl weekend. According to a news release, the singer-songwriter, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, will headline the league's Super Bowl concert series, although there's no information out there about the rest of the series.
San Jose Mineta International Airport prepares for a major influx as American Airlines announces an expansion of operations by up to 450 percent ahead of Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The stadium sits less than a 10-minute drive from the airport, making it a convenient entry point for fans traveling from across the country.
The Santa Clara Stadium Authority Board - comprised of the City Council - voted 5-2 Tuesday to approve the final 2026 Super Bowl agreement, which includes a roughly $6.4 million reimbursement from the Bay Area Host Committee for costs ranging from law enforcement security services to safety equipment. The host committee will also reimburse about $650,000 for Santa Clara Convention Center rent, and the San Francisco 49ers stadium company will reimburse about $26,000 in older adult and youth ticket sales.
"The truth is these global sporting events are incredible, but most of our residents won't get the opportunity to go either because they can't afford a ticket, or just logistically it won't be possible, and so our opportunity is to create a robust fan experience, from local legends going into classrooms to low-cost public concerts downtown that really help everybody take pride in our city and celebrate this unique moment on the world stage."
