If you’re trying to figure out where the Super Bowl 2026 is being held, you’ve probably noticed a bit of a geographic identity crisis. Technically, the NFL says the "San Francisco Bay Area" is the host. But if you book a hotel in downtown San Francisco expecting to walk to the stadium, you’re in for a very expensive 45-mile surprise.
The reality is that Super Bowl LX is touching down at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Mark your calendars for February 8, 2026. This isn't the first time the tech-heavy suburbs of Silicon Valley have taken the spotlight. It’s been exactly a decade since the same venue hosted Super Bowl 50—the one where Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset and Coldplay shared a stage with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. This time around, the vibe is shifting from legacy quarterbacks to global Latin pop, with Bad Bunny officially confirmed as the halftime headliner.
The Logistics of Santa Clara vs. San Francisco
Honestly, the distance between the "host city" of San Francisco and the actual grass at Levi's Stadium is one of the biggest headaches for fans.
Levi’s Stadium is tucked away in Santa Clara, right next to the Great America theme park. It’s a gorgeous, high-tech venue, but it's fundamentally a South Bay spot. If you're staying in San Francisco, you're looking at at least an hour on the Caltrain or a potentially soul-crushing Uber ride down Highway 101.
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Why do they do it this way?
Because San Francisco has the hotels and the "party" infrastructure, but it doesn't have a modern NFL stadium anymore (RIP Candlestick Park). So, the NFL spreads the love. You’ll find the Super Bowl Experience at the Moscone Center in SF, but the Super Bowl Opening Night is actually happening at the San Jose Convention Center on February 2. It’s basically a regional takeover.
Key Dates and Kickoff Times
- Super Bowl Sunday: February 8, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 3:30 PM PT (6:30 PM ET)
- Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
- Broadcast: NBC, Telemundo, and streaming on Peacock
Who is performing at the 2026 Super Bowl?
The halftime show is always a lightning rod for debate. For 2026, the NFL and Roc Nation went big with Bad Bunny. He’s the first solo Latin male artist to headline, which is a massive deal for the league’s "global growth" strategy.
He’s not alone on the bill, though. The pre-game lineup is already stacked. Charlie Puth is slated for the National Anthem, while Brandi Carlile is handling "America the Beautiful." R&B standout Coco Jones will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
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It’s a mix that feels very "California"—a little bit of pop, a little bit of soulful R&B, and a whole lot of global star power.
Getting Tickets Without Losing Your Mind
If you're looking for where the Super Bowl 2026 tickets are being sold, don't expect to find them at the local box office. The NFL doesn't really do "general public" sales in the traditional sense.
Most tickets are funneled through the teams, sponsors, and high-end hospitality partners like On Location. If you want a guaranteed seat right now, you’re looking at packages that start around $11,000 and can easily climb north of $30,000 if you want the "Elite" experience with field access.
For the rest of us? The resale market on Ticketmaster or StubHub is the only real path. Prices usually peak about two weeks before the game and sometimes dip 48 hours before kickoff as brokers try to offload remaining inventory. It’s a high-stakes game of chicken.
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What to Expect at Levi's Stadium
Levi's is known for being a "smart" stadium, but it has some quirks.
First, the sun. If you’re sitting on the east side of the stadium during a day game, you will get baked. Since the Super Bowl kicks off in the mid-afternoon, the "Sun Tower" effect is real. Bring shades.
Second, the tech. The stadium app is usually pretty solid for ordering food to your seat or checking replays, which is a nice perk when you’re paying several thousand dollars for a view.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're actually planning to attend or just want to be in the area for the festivities, here is what you need to do right now:
- Book lodging in San Jose or Sunnyvale: Everyone floods San Francisco. If you stay in San Jose, you’re only about 15-20 minutes from the stadium. It’s less "scenic" but infinitely more practical.
- Download the NFL OnePass App: This is where all the Fan Zone and Super Bowl Experience tickets are managed. Many of the smaller events are free but require a QR code from this app.
- Check the Caltrain Schedule: If you do stay in SF, the "Game Day Express" trains are the only sane way to travel. They bypass the traffic and drop you within walking distance of the gates.
- Monitor the Weather: February in Northern California is a coin toss. It could be 70 degrees and sunny or a total washout. Levi's is an open-air stadium, so plan for layers.
Knowing exactly where the Super Bowl 2026 is—and the 40-mile gap between the name and the location—is the first step to not getting stranded on game day.