For all those football fans saying “wait ’till next year…” next year’s Super Bowl XLVIII (48 for the Roman Numeral challenged) is heading to the Big Apple - New York City. Well, New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium actually, but that doesn’t stop New York City from rolling out the red carpet for the United States’ largest sporting (and pop culture) event. Plans are already underway to transform a portion of Broadway into a free, NFL fan experience “Super Bowl Boulevard.” Continue reading for more of the plans and events for 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl XLVIII.
Update January 31, 2014
George Gensler checks out the activities on Super Bowl Boulevard; click here to follow along.
Update January 27, 2014
NYC Super Bowl Boulevard map and schedule for Broadway and Times Square.
Click here for a larger, printable pdf version of the map.
Original post from February 4, 2013 follows below…
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell and the 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee announced an overview of events and plans for Super Bowl XLVIII and a week of activities leading up to the game in February 2014. Among the announced plans for the region’s first Super Bowl is the creation of a “Super Bowl Boulevard,” which will transform a portion of Broadway in midtown Manhattan into a massive fan event with free admission.
Toboggan Run: In celebration of the first open-air cold-weather Super Bowl, enjoy a wintry ride—this seven story slide is painted to look like the real, snowy, deal. Tickets can be purchased on site. (Broadway between 40th and 41st Streets). Image courtesy NFL
“Super Bowl Boulevard” will serve as the epicenter of New York City’s Super Bowl events leading up to the game, to be played on February 2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The NFL will transform a portion of Broadway into the sports and entertainment hub of NY/NJ Super Bowl week. “Super Bowl Boulevard” will serve as the NFL’s marquee event for fans in New York during the week-long celebration leading up to the Super Bowl. It will begin on 44th Street, in the middle of Times Square, and stretch down Broadway to the Miracle on 34th Street from Wednesday, January 29 to Saturday, February 1, 2014. While Broadway will be closed to traffic, cross streets in this area will remain open. “Super Bowl Boulevard” will welcome fans from around the world, to experience for free a football festival never seen before in New York City.
Among the displays will be fan favorites normally seen at previous NFL Experience events, including interactive activities that allow fans to throw a touchdown, catch a pass, or kick a field goal. The space will boast excitement and activities such as:
- The Vince Lombardi Trophy display
- Nightly concerts
- Football clinics and competitions
- NFL Network/FOX/ESPN and additional broadcast positions
- Warming stations for guests
- Sponsor activation areas
- Player appearances/ free autographs
- NFL-themed exhibits
The NY/NJ Super Bowl will embrace the entire region, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced the state of New Jersey will also host a series of activities and serve as a central point for the participating teams. The popular Media Day will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, January 28, marking the first time that the event will be held outside of the game’s host venue. During the final hours before kickoff, the NFL’s Tailgate Party will be held at the Grandstand at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Sunday, February 2.
“Our region’s first Super Bowl is a little more than one year away, and in New Jersey, the countdown has officially begun,” said Christie. “Hosting the big game on February 2 and its many celebratory lead-up events during Super Bowl Week is a major win for the state, its tourism and economic developments.”
The NY/NJ Super Bowl will be played at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014. As a New York State resident, I’m excited for the NY/NJ Super Bowl, and am looking into heading down to the mega-event for next year’s Groundhog Day. How about you? For more family travel news, reviews, and trip reports, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.
