Back to Vegas?
Reports have emerged that the NFL has begun negotiations with Las Vegas authorities to bring the Super Bowl back to Sin City in 2029.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal on Thursday cited “sources with knowledge of the situation” revealing ongoing discussions could result in Las Vegas being named Super Bowl LXIII host as soon as October.
could announce Vegas’s appointment when franchise owners meet in New York for the league’s fall meetings
If the NFL and bodies including the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority and Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee reach an agreement, reports state, the NFL could announce Vegas’s appointment when franchise owners meet in New York for the league’s fall meetings.
If not October, the announcement could come at the NFL’s winter meetings in December.
According to reports, it’s “clear the NFL is interested in returning to Las Vegas, and the city is prepared to oblige.”
Vegas going all in
Since 2018, the NFL’s practice is to identify a suitable city for a Super Bowl and start talks with city officials.
When the NFL approached Las Vegas and the Raiders about being a Super Bowl city in 2029, 2030, or 2031, the potential hosts submitted a letter of intent. Since the letter, Vegas has reportedly “met all the requirements and deadlines to position itself for hosting duties in 2029.”
As a result, according to the Review-Journal, the NFL “has zeroed in” on Las Vegas hosting the 2029 showpiece.
In true Las Vegas fashion, LVCVA CEO Steve Hill has already told the NFL multiple times during talks that Vegas could host the Super Bowl every year.
we will do it here every year”
“Understanding that we’re kind of kidding, although we’re not really kidding,” the LVCVA exec said in February. “If they wanted to do the Super Bowl here every year, we will do it here every year.”
Sin City’s appeal
Las Vegas hosted Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024, in a spectacular debut for the city, complete with a close game that the Chiefs won in overtime and an all-time great halftime show by Usher.
The NFL, however, can’t fail to appreciate the financial draw of Vegas, with Forbes reporting the final estimated local economic impact for Super Bowl LVIII was a staggering $1bn.
For the NFL, keen to spread the game’s appeal beyond the US, the record-smashing average of 123.4 million American and international viewers tuned into Super Bowl LVIII simply adds to Vegas’s appeal as a host.
