It’s not every day or even decade that the BIGGEST sporting and TV event in the world comes to your backyard, but the South Bay Area got lucky with this year’s NFL championship game, Super Bowl LX. And while nothing can compare to actually watching the New England Patriots play the Seattle Seahawks at the gorgeous Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the unparalleled energy throughout the entire Bay Area will make any watch location pop.
We’ve compiled a list of our top picks below. So if you’re a visitor to the Bay Area or a local 49ers fan still deciding whether to root for or against the Seahawks, these options present something for every group, from families to partygoing tailgaters. And if you can see Bad Bunny in his highly anticipated halftime show, check out one of the amazing concerts happening.
Feature photo: Levi’s Stadium, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Super Bowl Week: Watch Parties and More
Just because the 49ers aren’t playing doesn’t mean there isn’t lots to celebrate in the Bay this week. There are a whole host of events leading up to the big game. Here are a few:
February 2
San Jose
This event at the San Jose Convention Center will provide an exciting opportunity to hear directly from Super Bowl players and coaches during their only public appearance before the big game. Plan ahead because entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
February 3–7
San Francisco
Taking place at the Moscone Center, this family-friendly event is presented by Jersey Mike’s. Fans can take memorable photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, race in a 40-yard dash against virtual NFL players on LED screens and interact with many more activities.
February 3–7
San Francisco
With everything from food and live performances to sponsor activations, this multi-day celebration is the one-stop shop in San Francisco for football fans. Plus, the amazing location is a bonus.
February 5
Berkeley
Hosted by Visit Berkeley and UC Berkeley, the 26th Annual Celebrity Flag Football Challenge will see more than 20 athletes and celebrities take to the field, 7–9 p.m. at the California Memorial Stadium, UC Berkeley.
February 5–8
San Jose
This massive four-day celebration transforms Santana Row (minutes away from the game at Levi’s Stadium) into the ultimate pre-game destination that will include food, music and some serious fan energy.
February 8
FLUID510, Oakland
Benito Bowl is not your average watch party. It’s turning the Super Bowl into a full-on Bad Bunny celebration with nonstop music, dancing and cultura. Yes, the big game will be on the screens but the real MVP is the vibe.
Expect perreo intenso, Bay slaps and Bad Bunny anthems all night long as we transform the dance floor into La Placita. Come solo or bring the whole crew, just make sure you’re dressed to the T and ready to dance.
Super Bowl Week Concerts
This week is also a big week for music. Here are some concerts to catch alongside the game.
February 5
Location: Regency Ballroom, San Francisco
February 6
Location: Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Location: Chase Center, San Francisco
February 7
Location: Pier 80 Warehouse, San Francisco
Location: Cow Palace Arena, Daly City
February 8
Location: Cow Palace Arena, Daly City
Super Bowl Food
Eating is a big part of the Super Bowl experience. Whether you’re at the stadium or at home, it’s good to have a game plan. Here’s a preview of what’s at the stadium as well as a recipe sure to please a crowd.
The Gourmet Experience at Levi's
This year diners at the stadium will be treated to an especially gourmet experience, with a team of 50 chefs and 2,500 hospitality workers serving up specialities showcasing local ingredients, like the LX Hammer Burger with a braised bone-in beef shank, roasted mirepoix demi-glace and Point Reyes blue cheese fondue on a house-baked brioche bun.
Super Bowl Recipe: Shrimp Nachos
by Lynda Balslev, Serves 6 to 8
Game day party food should be feisty, spicy and fun. While we wouldn’t label these nachos healthy per se (as any right-minded nacho shouldn’t), we will certainly deem them bright and fresh. Spicy wild shrimp, chunky avocado salsa, sharp spring onions and a shower of fresh herbs all sourced from the farmers market, add a lighter spin to the traditional heavy nacho plate loaded down with meat. No worries: a generous layering of melty cheese and fiery chiles add all the gooey finger food and mouth scorching requisites to secure a place for these nachos at your Super Bowl party table.
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound medium shrimp, shelled and de-veined
Avocado Salsa:
- 2 ripe but firm avocados, diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Dash of hot sauce
Nachos:
- 8 ounces tortilla chips
4 cups coarsely grated melty cheese, such as Cowgirl Creamery Wagon Wheel - 3 to 4 green spring onions, white and green parts separated, thinly sliced
- 2 to 3 red or green jalapeño peppers, stemmed and seeded, chopped (for extra heat, do not remove all of the seeds)
- 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
- 1 large vine-ripened tomato, cored and seeded, diced
- 1 cup cilantro leaves, loosely packed
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, cumin and red pepper flakes and stir until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the shrimp in one layer. Cook until pink and just barely cooked through, turning once, about 2 minutes. (It’s ok if the shrimp are a little under-done. They will continue to cook in the oven). Remove from the pan and drain on plates lined with paper towels.
- Combine the avocado, lime juice, cumin, salt, pepper, and hot sauce in a small bowl and gently stir to combine.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread half of the tortilla chips in a large rimmed baking pan. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, half of the white spring onions, half of the jalapeños, and half of the red onion over the chips. Top with remaining chips, 1 1/2 cups cheese, the remaining white spring onions, jalapeños, and red onion.
- Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and the nachos are hot, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and turn on the broiler. Arrange the shrimp over the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese over the shrimp. Broil to melt the top cheese, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Drop spoonfuls of the avocado salsa over the nachos, then sprinkle the tomato, the green spring onions, and cilantro evenly over the top. Serve immediately.
Super Bowl Talking Points
New to football but want to get involved since the game is right in your backyard? Here are a few things you should know about Super Bowl LX.
Who’s playing?
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- Seattle Seahawks (NFC champs) vs New England Patriots (AFC champs).
- Both the Seahawks and the Patriots finished the season 14–3, making this a tight matchup.
What’s at stake?
- This game is a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX (2015), which the Patriots won.
- Seattle wants its second Super Bowl title (last won in 2013).
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New England is chasing its seventh title — the most of any franchise — and its first since the Brady era.
Why Levi’s Stadium?
- The NFL chooses a neutral site years ahead of time, rotating host cities. This is the second Super Bowl this stadium has hosted.
Who are the star quarterbacks?
- Seattle’s QB, Sam Darnold: he had a storybook journey from early career ups and downs to leading the Seahawks to this game; he’s now the first USC quarterback to start in a Super Bowl.
- New England’s QB, Drake Maye: A young, 23-year-old signal-caller guiding the Pats’ offense this postseason.
Other well-know players:
From the Seahawks:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Elite wide receiver and offensive leader.
- Devon Witherspoon: Top cornerback anchoring Seattle’s defense.
- Elijah Arroyo: Tight end with Mexican roots, one of several Latin-American players in the game.
From the Patriots:
- Milton Williams — dominant defensive lineman and one of New England’s most impactful players this season.
Who are the musical acts performing?
- Bad Bunny headlines the halftime show.
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Charlie Puth will perform the national anthem.
