The rumors about the NFL going international for its biggest stage aren't happening yet. Sorry, London. If you're looking for where is the 2026 Super Bowl, you need to set your sights on Northern California. Specifically, Santa Clara.
Super Bowl LX is officially touching down at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026.
It’s kind of funny because everyone says "San Francisco," but the stadium is actually about 40 miles south of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you try to stay in downtown SF and think you're walking to the game, you're in for a very long, very sweaty hike. The NFL officially awarded the game to the Bay Area back in May 2023, and since then, the region has been prep-mode central.
The Stadium: Why Levi’s Again?
Levi's Stadium isn't a newbie to this. It hosted Super Bowl 50 back in 2016. Remember that defensive slog where Von Miller basically single-handedly dismantled the Panthers? Yeah, that was here.
The stadium is the home of the San Francisco 49ers and it’s basically a high-tech fortress in the middle of Silicon Valley. Honestly, it makes sense. The NFL loves shiny, newish venues with lots of "premium" seating—which is code for "places where rich people can spend ten grand on a steak while watching the game."
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For 2026, the stadium is actually getting some work done. They’ve poured about $200 million into renovations to make sure everything is perfect for both the Super Bowl and the World Cup, which is also hitting the Bay Area in 2026. It’s going to be a wild year for traffic.
Quick Facts for the 2026 Game
- The Date: February 8, 2026.
- The Location: Santa Clara, California.
- The Network: NBC and Peacock.
- The Halftime Show: Bad Bunny.
- Kickoff Time: Usually around 3:30 p.m. PT.
Where Everyone is Actually Staying
Here is the thing: the game is in Santa Clara, but the "vibe" is everywhere.
San Jose is actually the closest major city to the stadium. It’s literal minutes away. But San Francisco is where the NFL "Experience" and the massive fan festivals usually set up shop. The Bay Area Host Committee has been vocal about spreading the love. We’re talking events in San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
The Moscone Center in SF is slated to host the Super Bowl Experience. That’s the big theme park-style event where you can try to kick a field goal and realize you have zero athletic talent.
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If you're planning to attend, you’ve basically got three choices for "home base." You can stay in San Jose for easy stadium access, Palo Alto if you want to feel fancy, or San Francisco if you want the full tourist experience and don't mind the hour-long commute on the Caltrain.
The Bad Bunny Factor
The NFL finally pulled the trigger and booked Bad Bunny for the halftime show. People have feelings about this. Some love it, some are confused, but you can’t argue with the numbers. He’s one of the biggest artists on the planet.
Expect a lot of Latin influence and probably some massive pyrotechnics.
It’s a bold move for the 60th anniversary. Usually, the NFL goes for "legacy" acts for the big milestones—like when they had all those MVPs on the field for Super Bowl 50. But for LX, they’re clearly leaning into the global star power.
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Getting Tickets (And the Reality Check)
Look, unless you’re a season ticket holder for a team that makes it, or you have a spare $5,000 to $8,000 burning a hole in your pocket, getting into the building is tough.
"On Location" is the official hospitality partner. They sell the packages that include the hotel and the pre-game parties with NFL legends. Those are already on sale. They aren't cheap.
The secondary market (Ticketmaster, StubHub) is where most people end up. Prices usually peak about two weeks before the game and then "dip" slightly the Friday before kickoff. If "dipping" to $4,500 counts as a deal for you, then Godspeed.
What to Do Now
If you're serious about going to the 2026 Super Bowl, do not wait until January 2026 to book your hotel.
- Book a refundable hotel now. Seriously. Prices in Santa Clara and San Jose will triple the moment the playoff bracket is set.
- Download the NFL OnePass app. This is how the league manages all the fan events. It’s where you’ll find the schedules for the drone shows in San Jose and the concerts at the Palace of Fine Arts.
- Check the Caltrain schedule. If you aren't staying in Santa Clara, the train is your best friend. Parking at Levi’s for a regular game is a nightmare; for a Super Bowl, it’s basically an expensive parking lot you can't leave for three hours after the trophy ceremony.
The Bay Area is a weird, beautiful, expensive place. Having the Super Bowl there for the 60th anniversary feels right, even if it means paying $15 for a coffee in San Francisco. Just make sure you know that the "San Francisco Super Bowl" is actually a "Santa Clara Super Bowl."
Get your flights into SJC (San Jose) instead of SFO if you want to save yourself the headache.