Guide To Super Bowl XLVIII: TV, Traffic, Security & More
Super Sunday is here!
The basics:
Super Bowl XLVIII
Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Feb. 2, 2014
SUPER BOWL TICKETS
If you weren't lucky enough to get picked in a random drawing, you'll have to take your chances on the secondary market.
Asking prices on sites like StubHub and the league's official ticket exchange probably won't bankrupt you, though you'll still need to dig up dollar bills by the thousands.
But hey, when will we have another Super Bowl?
GETTING TO THE GAME
Here's a tip, you can thank us later:
Don't. Drive. To. The. Game.
Not only are parking passes for the Super Bowl scarce and expensive, traffic is expected to be brutal. And besides, tailgating won't be allowed.
So do yourself a favor and take public transportation.
You can "get to the Super Bowl stress free" by using the NFL's Fan Express Bus, with pickup locations in Manhattan, Secaucus, Newark and East Hanover. Tickets are available here.
If rail is your thing, AMTRAK will be making special pre- and post-game stops in Secaucus, where you'll be able to transfer to MetLife-bound NJ TRANSIT trains.
Speaking of NJ TRANSIT, they will be offering expanded bus and rail service during Super Bowl week and on game day. Here's some detailed information about the changes. NJ TRANSIT is also offering a "Super Pass" for $50 that will give patrons unlimited rides across the network from Jan. 27 to Feb. 3.
For those worried about how traffic will affect their daily commute, N.J. has launched a website that will show which spots are snarled in real-time.
SECURITY
It should come as no surprise that security will be ramped up during Super Bowl week. Law enforcement officials say about 4,000 security officers will be assigned to MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2. And then there are the high-tech cameras and radiation detectors.
Fans going to the game will pass through "airport-style screening" at a security perimeter set up 300 feet from the stadium's entrances.
The NFL "strongly encourages fans not to bring any type of bag to the Super Bowl." But if you must, here's what will be allowed, according to the league's official website:
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" OR
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar), AND
- Small clutch bags, 4.5" x 6.5", with or without a handle or strap, can be taken into the stadium with ONE of the clear plastic bag options
- An exception will be made for medically necessary items after thorough inspection at a gate designated for this purpose
Remember, backpacks and large purses are NOT allowed into the stadium.
And don't even think about bringing these items in:
-- Alcohol
-- Video cameras
-- Laser pointers
-- Strollers
-- Umbrellas
-- Footballs
-- Weapons or knives
-- Pepper spray
-- Large signs
-- Bottles, cans (including aerosol), coolers
Go to the NFL's Super Bowl website for more on prohibited items and security procedures.
WEATHER
February. Northeast.
Prepare to be cold.
If you're not familiar with the fine art of layering up (read: if you're not from around here), the NFL has put together this handy infographic. Gloves, knit cap, heavy jacket and boots are a must at the very least.
Super Bowl organizers say they're ready for the possibility of winter weather. Actually, some were actively hoping for at least a little snow. But that's not going to happen. Actually, it might even be on the warm side (for February).
Keep an eye on the forecast as we get closer to the game, and make sure to follow the host committee on Twitter for the latest.
PARTY TIME: TV, KICKOFF, COMMERCIALS
If you're reading this guide, you're either going to the game or planning to watch it.
For the latter, here's what you'll want to know:
-- Channel: FOX
-- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m
-- Broadcast team: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Pam Oliver
-- Halftime show: Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Of course, just as many people watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. Some teasers are even available already on YouTube. We're updating this page with the latest ads and teasers.
Pro tip: You can also stream the big game on your computer or smartphone.
Let's just say for a minute you're not interested in the game or the commercials. There are some alternative viewing options:
-- The Kitten Bowl: Hallmark Channel, 2 p.m. Cats being cats as Yankees play-by-play man John Sterling calls the action. Thaaaaaaa kitties win!
-- The Puppy Bowl: Animal Planet, 3 p.m. This annual display of doggie daycare on the gridiron has become by far the most popular alternative to the Super Bowl. And yeah, it's cute.
-- The Fish Bowl (seriously): Nat Geo Wild, 6 p.m. Get ready for four hours of an "average day in the life of a goldfish." Yep, it's just a goldfish in a bowl. Consider it the Super Bowl's Yule Log.
Pro tip: Check out Tailgate Fan for some great party food ideas.
MORE: From Gatorade Color To Bruno Mars' Head: Super Bowl Prop Bets
SUPER BOWL BOULEVARD
Football, fun, and some big crowds.
Super Bowl XLVIII featured a Gotham-sized fan fest known as "Super Bowl Boulevard," which ran for four days (Jan. 29-Feb. 1) on Broadway between 34th and 47th streets.
Fans were able to see the Lombardi Trophy, snap a photo in front of the giant Super Bowl XLVIII Roman numerals, snag some autographs and even take a ride down a 180-foot-long toboggan ($5 per ride).
Check out photos from Super Bowl Boulevard here.
MEDIA DAY
The Tuesday before the Super Bowl is typically a big day, as both teams are trotted out to meet the media -- and we're not talking about your everyday sports reporters. Yeah, they were there, but Media Day is more about the strange and colorful characters that travel from all over the globe to cover the big game.
This year's Media Day was held Jan. 28 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Check out a roundup of Super Bowl XLVIII media day here. Photos? We've got them, too. And read more about it from columnists Kim Jones and Ernie Palladino.
CONCERTS & OTHER EVENTS
There was something for everyone during Super Bowl week – from foodies to concert-goers to comedy fans.
For the hungry (and deep-pocketed) football fan, there was the annual Taste of the NFL event, which promised to bring "its world-class recipe for food, fun and football" to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Pier 12 on Feb. 1. Those who bought the pricey tickets helped to raise money for hunger relief in the U.S.
WFAN radio hosted the mother of all comedy shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Jan. 29, featuring Jay Mohr, Dave Attell, Nick DiPaolo, Michael Che, Jeff Norris and John Pizzi. Morning show co-hosts Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton hosted the event. You can check out photos here.
As for concerts – where to start? The Red Hot Chili Peppers warmed up for their Super Bowl halftime performance by headlining WFAN's Big Hello to Brooklyn show Feb. 1 at Barclays Center. The calendar was loaded with performances from musicians ranging from Kendrick Lamar to the Foo Fighters to the Zac Brown Band. Billboard put together a pretty impressive list of all the area's concerts, which you can find right here.
In New Jersey, Super Bowl week kicked off with Daughtry, the Goo Goo Dolls and a Macy's fireworks show on Jan. 27 (PHOTOS). Go here for more goings on in the Garden State.
We had you New Yorkers covered, too. Check out the NYC calendar of events here.