Attending the Super Bowl has been on my bucket list since my early twenties. I love football and the fun and excitement of Super Bowl weekend. Super Bowl weekend has been a long-standing tradition in our house, complete with festive foods, themed drinks and football decor. Imagine my excitement when I was presented with the opportunity to attend Super Bowl LVII with my son to cheer on our beloved Philadelphia Eagles and their quest toward World Champions.
The post below outlines our entire Super Bowl weekend and the fun and excitement leading up to the big game. If you ever can attend a Super Bowl, even if your favorite team isn’t playing, do it! The events and activities leading up to Super Bowl Sunday are unparalleled. There is so much to do, and the energy and buzz of the host city are contagious.
Friday
I was fortunate enough to attend the Super Bowl with my 14-year-old son. It was a true mother-son bonding experience that began on Friday when we departed the Philadelphia International Airport for Phoenix, Arizona. The airport was fully decorated to support the Philadelphia Eagles and prepared us for our big weekend.
Once we arrived in Phoenix, AZ; it was all things Super Bowl.
Saturday
Saturday was our first full day in Phoenix, and we fit in as much as possible to get the most out of our Super Bowl weekend. On our agenda for Saturday was Old Scottsdale (free), the Super Bowl Experience at Hance Park (free) and the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center (paid). We rented a car which made traveling to so many destinations easy.
One thing that was really impressive was how many Super Bowl activities were free. There was so much to do in the city and plenty of activities designed around celebrating the Super Bowl, even if you aren’t heading to the game.
Old Scottsdale
Old Scottsdale was our first stop. This was definitely the place to be! In Old Scottsdale we got to experience the Historic Old Town ESPN Main Street Tailgate. This free five-day Old West-style football pregame party served as the backdrop for much of ESPN’s pre-game live coverage. There were life-sized games, live music, entertainers, giveaways and food. We walked around Old Scottsdale for a few hours and loved our time there. Old Scottsdale has a lot of unique shops and things to see. It was packed with sports fans and a great way to kick off our day of Super Bowl fun.
Super Bowl Experience at Hance Park
After spending time in Old Scottsdale, we headed over to the Super Bowl Experience at Hance Park. The Super Bowl Experience at Hance Park was a multi-day festival filled with family-friendly games and activities, live music, entertainment and local cuisine. There were many giveaways and celebrity interviews with athletes, including Justin Jefferson.
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Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center
The Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center was the only paid event of our Super Bowl weekend pre-game fun. Tickets were $40 each, plus we paid $40 for parking. You had to buy tickets in advance to reserve your entry time. We went in at 6 pm, but in retrospect, I wish we had more time before it closed at 10 pm. The Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center could be described as an NFL football theme park. There were interactive games, like the 40-yard dash and field goal kicking, player autographs, plenty of photo opportunities and lots to see and do.
Sunday
Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate
Before the game on Sunday we pre gamed at Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate. Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate was a massive tailgate party that took place before the game. The event included “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” restaurant popups, plenty of bars and local vendors for “A Taste of Phoenix,” as well as musical performances by DIPLO and LOCASH. It was epic!
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Game Day Experience at State Farm Stadium
At last, it was time for the main event of our Super Bowl weekend – the Super Bowl! Once we stepped foot into State Farm Stadium, it was a party! Accessible only to ticketholders, this event included local entertainment, AFC and NFC pep rally zones, NFL merchandise, photo opportunities and food and beverage spots.
The game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs was a nail-biter from the start. The game was a back and forth battle that kept both teams’ fans at the edge of their seats. We sat near Eagles fans. As halftime approached, the Eagles had a ten-point lead.
Despite the game being incredible, I couldn’t wait for the halftime show featuring Rhianna and she did not disappoint. Her performance reached new levels, literally, and left me singing at the top of my lungs.
After halftime, it was like watching an entirely different game. The Eagles lost all of their momentum and their ten point lead. The outcome of the game came down to a final play that left the Kansas City Chiefs victorious. It was heart breaking.
I will absolutely never forget my first Super Bowl. It was such a gift to share in this special memory with my son and cheering on our favorite team. With the Super Bowl being in Las Vegas next year I can honestly say I would consider going again if the opportunity presented itself. It was epic and a really great weekend for football.
One last time to round out the season, Go Birds!
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