News that the Bay Area was expected to host the Super Bowl in 2026 was first reported last week by Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal.
In March, 49ers CEO Jed York expressed confidence that the team could lure the NFL back for a Super Bowl. Levi's Stadium hosted Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, a matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
"My optimism is very high," York said in March. "… I feel fairly confident. I don't know for sure that we're going to get Super Bowl 60, but I feel very confident that we're going to get a Super Bowl in the near future. And it would be great to get Super Bowl 60 after hosting Super Bowl 50."
Super Bowl LX will be the second NFL title game hosted in Santa Clara since Levi's Stadium opened in 2014.
The 49ers recently sought $120 million from the NFL to upgrade Levi's Stadium as the team bid to host another Super Bowl.
"When you spend a lot of money building a new stadium, you watch some of the stadiums that aren't upgraded, and it's very easy for them to fall in disrepair," York explained in March. "You want to make sure that you're investing and reinvesting in your stadium. I went through a stadium process. It's not a fun and making-you-younger-and-energetic type of process.
Next year's big game, Super Bowl LVIII, will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The next Super Bowl, LIX, will occur at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 2021 Los Angeles Rams are the only two NFL teams to play a Super Bowl in their home stadiums. Both teams won their respective games. Two other teams have played a Super Bowl in their home regions. The 49ers played in Super Bowl XIX at Stanford Stadium, and the Los Angeles Rams played in Super Bowl XIV at the Rose Bowl.
The official announcement from the NFL is below.
Minneapolis, MN [May 22, 2023] - The National Football League announced that Super Bowl LX will be hosted in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2026, with the game played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
The announcement was made today at the NFL Spring League Meeting in Minneapolis, following a review of the proposal by the Fan Engagement & Major Events Advisory Committee and a vote by full ownership.
"The Bay Area was an incredible host for Super Bowl 50, and we are thrilled to bring the Super Bowl back," said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. "We look forward to working with the 49ers and the Bay Area Host Committee to create an impactful Super Bowl LX in 2026 that showcases all the great things the region has to offer."
"We are honored to host the Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium once again, and to be stewards of one of the biggest sporting events in the world," said AL GUIDO, President of the San Francisco 49ers. "Since hosting Super Bowl 50 in 2016, Levi's Stadium has cemented its reputation as a world-class venue. I'm confident Super Bowl LX will be a terrific event that benefits the entire community."
As part of Super Bowl LX activities, the Bay Area will host a highly anticipated slate of events that make up Super Bowl Week, including NFL Honors, Super Bowl Experience, Super Bowl Opening Night, and a robust community program. The events are expected to take place across the Bay Area, with limitless opportunities for visitors and residents to have memorable experiences leading up to the game.
"The Bay Area is an exciting region for sports and is the perfect host for Super Bowl LX," said ZAILEEN JANMOHAMED, President and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee. "2026 will be a blockbuster year for the Bay Area on the world stage as it hosts both the Super Bowl and World Cup – and it's fitting timing as San Francisco celebrates its 250th birthday. We are thrilled to bring another large-scale event to the area, and to showcase the Bay Area's unique spirit and diversity."
