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It’s time for the unofficial holiday in which the US will consume more food than any other holiday except Thanksgiving. That’s right, Super Bowl Sunday! Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will lead the Kansas City Chiefs as they aim to make history by winning three consecutive Super Bowls. However, Jalen Hurts, and the Eagles look to avenge their Super Bowl 57 loss to the Chiefs.
The Super Bowl: More Than Just a Game-It’s an Economic Powerhouse
Super Bowl weekend isn’t just about football, it’s a billion-dollar business that boosts everything from local economies, to advertising, television ratings, and even the player’s paycheck. This is an attraction more than a game. In fact, 43% of the audience admit they don’t care who wins; it’s about being with friends, watching the commercials, enjoying the halftime show, and for many, the thrill of victory.
How the Host City Cashes in (or doesn’t)
Hosting the Super bowl can deliver anywhere from $300 to $500 million in economic benefits. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses see a surge in revenue, while thousands of fans flood the city. However, some economists argue that the benefits are overstated — many locals leave town, and much of the spending goes to big corporations rather than small businesses
The NFL’s Super Bowl Windfall
The real winner on Super Bowl Sunday is the NFL. Between broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise, the National Football League will drive in more than $1 billion. Networks pay hundreds of millions for the right to air the Super Bowl for those who prefer the in-person experience, ticket prices start at $6000 and often exceed $20,000 in secondary resale markets.
Considering the financial windfall for the NFL, you may be wondering how the players benefit from the Super Bowl. In addition to player endorsements that could result from a memorable game, Super Bowl participants receive a game bonus of $157,000 to each player on the winning team and $82,000 for each player on the losing team.
Super Bowl Commercials: Are They Worth the Cost?
It is common knowledge that the Super Bowl is the gold standard for advertising and premiering commercials. This year, a 30-second Super Bowl ad costs $7 million—but for some brands, it’s money well spent. With over 100 million viewers, a single ad can make a company famous overnight. Think back to brands like:
• Apple (1984) – The Macintosh was introduced with an ad that’s still iconic today.
• Doritos (2006–2016) – Their “Crash the Super Bowl” campaign made the brand a snack aisle staple.
• GoDaddy (2005) – Edgy Super Bowl commercials helped the company dominate the domain registration space.
• E-Trade Baby (2008) – A talking baby ad made E-Trade a household name.
Network benefits:
The network that airs the Super Bowl not only benefits from the advertising revenue, but they also have an audience that will likely continue watching. The show that airs right after the Super Bowl benefits from a vast ratings bump. Some of the biggest post-game hits include:
• “Friends” (1996) – 52.9 million viewers
• “Survivor: The Australian Outback” (2001) – 45 million viewers
• “Grey’s Anatomy” (2006) – 37.9 million viewers
• “This Is Us” (2018) – 27 million viewers
Networks carefully select what airs after the game, knowing it can make or break a show’s success.
Takeaway:
The Super Bowl isn’t just America’s biggest sporting event—it’s an economic machine. From city-wide tourism booms to record-breaking ad revenue, the financial effects stretch far beyond the football field. Whether you watch for the game, the commercials, or the halftime show, one thing is certain: the Super Bowl is a money-making phenomenon.
