San Jose Won't Be Sitting On The Sidelines For Super Bowl 50
SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) – While San Francisco is the official host city for Super Bowl 50, and Santa Clara has the game, San Jose won't be sitting on the sidelines.
"We're certainly happy to allow those other cities to endure the traffic. We're going to have a lot of fun down here in San Jose," Mayor Sam Liccardo said.
Liccardo said San Jose is in a good position to intercept much of the Super Bowl vibe, starting with team arrivals. The NFC and AFC champions, their families plus most of the corporate sponsors will fly into Mineta San Jose International Airport, not SFO.
San Jose has more reliable winter weather, and Levi's Stadium is so close, you can see it from the runways.
The NFC champion will be staying at the Marriott in Downtown San Jose and practicing all week at San Jose State.
"That's going to attract a lot of that city's fans. And so you're going to have this buzz around this city that's going to be following their team," said Scott Knies of the Downtown Association.
San Jose is already close to selling out ten thousand hotel rooms in the downtown area, and the NFL is reportedly setting up Super Bowl attractions in the McEnery Convention Center.
The buzz could reach a fever pitch on Monday night of Super Bowl week, when San Jose and the SAP Center host the new primetime event called Super Bowl Opening Night, what used to be called Media Day.
Thousands of fans, and media from around the world will be here, and local businesses are planning to take full advantage.
The AFK Gamer Lounge in downtown plans Super Bowl parties and Madden game tournaments.
"The general consensus is that it's going to be a good time for San Jose. It's going to bring a lot of business," said Tyler Peckham, the lounge's owner.
Super Bowl 50 was always planned as a regional event. But with San Francisco an inconvenient commute away from the stadium, San Jose may steal a big part of the super bowl thunder.
"There will be many more times people here than can fit in that stadium," Liccardo said. "They'll just be here for the experience and there will be a lot for them to enjoy."