Glendale, AZ – On Sunday, February 12th, 2023, the NFL will host its 57th Super Bowl to crown its newest champion. Thirty-two organizations will compete this fall to make the playoffs in January, where the best team in the AFC will then face off against the best team in the NFC for league supremacy. And you could be there in Arizona to watch it live in person, just like The Brothers Brandt did in 2015 when the Super Bowl was last held at the State Farm Stadium.
The Last Glendale Super Bowl
It was third and goal from the one-yard line; the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots had exchanged touchdowns all afternoon on that legendary Super Bowl Sunday in Glendale back in 2015. Russell Wilson had been doing all he could in Super Bowl 49 to take down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Their legion of boom defense for the Seahawks had been presenting Rob Gronkowski with its toughest defensive test all year. It was a heavyweight battle, and NFL Films rated it the second greatest super bowl in NFL history. The reason for such a high rating is attributed to how the game ended.
With only a few seconds left in regulation and just that one yard to go, the Seahawks decided to throw from a couple of feet away for a touchdown rather than hand off the ball to Marshawn Lynch, who had at that time been the best running back in the NFL for several seasons. This ill-fated decision resulted in Malcolm Butler making the most famous interception in Super Bowl history, leading the Patriots to yet another Super Bowl victory.
The Brothers Brandt were there that evening to watch it all unfold before their eyes. John Legend’s America The Beautiful and Katy Perry’s iconic halftime performance added to the fanfare that day in Glendale, and this article will help you see why (and how) this February you should make your way to Arizona for the experience of a lifetime. Regardless of which NFL team is your favorite, here is why you should make your reservations now.
Location
Since its inception in 1967, the Super Bowl has rotated its location every year, and we will make the case that the greater Phoenix area is the best destination for it. While almost the entire country experiences frigid conditions in February, southern Arizona does not. The temperatures are absolutely ideal for outdoor activities, which include all of the events happening the week of the Super Bowl. Remember, the stadium is technically a dome stadium, with an open-air feature over just the playing surface. The rest of the stadium is in comfortable air-conditioning, which, trust us, is very nice.
The PGA Tour hosts in neighboring Scottsdale. It’s the only Arizona-based professional golf tournament all year. And it’s the same week as the Super Bowl because of perfect weather conditions. We’ll get to this aforementioned golf tournament in just a minute as another leading reason why you should get yourself to Arizona this February.
Phoenix is one of the easiest major cities to get to in the United States, with direct flights to and from nearly every other city throughout the country. Sky Harbor is a very convenient airport to fly in and out of and rent a car from. We’ve done it almost everywhere, and this is one of the best, most well-run operations we’ve come across. Within a few minutes drive of Glendale, you have Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe, home to Arizona State University. There are a plethora of places to go and things to see while in the area. There is a reason why this is the fastest-growing market in the United States. Everyone who goes loves it so much they want to move there.
Weather
We know we touched on this while describing its geographic location above, but this cannot be stated enough. The NFL has tried to diversify its Super Bowl locations over the years by awarding it to “non-warm cities” such as Minnesota, Indianapolis, or New York/New Jersey, but those flat out are just not as enjoyable as a Super Bowl you can wear shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops to.
The average temperature on February 12th in Glendale, Arizona for the past 100 years has been 73 degrees, so you’re likely going to check this all-important box of excellent weather. Cities such as Atlanta and Dallas faced adverse winter weather for the past few decades, and they have had Super Bowls in their cities. Neither was prepared for icy roads and frigid winds. Outdoor activities and events were all canceled. In Arizona, you do not need to pack your parkas.
The Week Of
Super Bowls are played on Sundays, with the kickoff in the early evenings. The week of Super Bowls is week-long parties and anticipation for the big game. The buzz is eclectic and unmatched when you spend it in the host city for the entire week leading up to the Super Bowl.
To do it “the right way” by The Brothers Brandt standards, you will want to get into town on the Monday before the Super Bowl. Stay with friends, visit family, or splurge in a nearby hotel for the week. The players arrive ten days before, and you should arrive at six. Be there for the Media Day experience, which the NFL hosts for fans to attend and listen to their favorite players answer all the hard (and sometimes funny) questions the media has in store for them. In 2015, The Brothers Brandt took it a step further and interviewed Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and many of the other stars of that Super Bowl.
Fan Fest
Dedicate a full day to walking the Fan Fest activity area in the convention center downtown. You’ll have the chance to meet and greet celebrities and athletes from all over the world. You’ll be able to pass, punt, and kick the ball to test your skills, along with endless other fun activities. In the evening, there are concerts you can attend, which we recommend. You also, while in Arizona, can catch a Phoenix Suns basketball game or a Phoenix Coyotes NHL hockey game. Arizona State University is nearby, and their basketball arena is a lively place to be during the college basketball season, which you may want to also see.
WM Phoenix Open
The premier event is the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale during Super Bowl week. This golf tournament is a scene out of the movie Happy Gilmore where record daily crowds are loud, rowdy, and enthusiastic, unlike anything you have ever seen in golf. You will want to secure your ‘stadium’ ticket on the 16th hole, the loudest hole in golf. If you are a golf addict like The Brothers Brandt and you want to tee it up yourself while in town for the Super Bowl, you have an endless supply of excellent courses. Two recommendations are the TPC Champions Course and the newly renovated Papago Golf Club, home to the Arizona State University golf program.
Parties
Did we mention parties? Some of the biggest names in entertainment host dozens of A+ ticketed parties every night. Look into these; Leather & Laces is a must. If you desire the nightlife fan fair, you have premier restaurants and nightclubs in downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale. The biggest NFL party of the year always takes place on the eve of the Super Bowl on Saturday night during the NFL Honors televised award show. As it is every year, it is held locally in the city the Super Bowl is being played in. Fans can purchase tickets to this event. It is here where they announce the Hall of Fame inductees for the upcoming summer, along with the league’s newest MVP and Walter Payton trophy recipient.
Regardless of which fan base you identify with, you need to get to Arizona for this year’s upcoming Super Bowl. Book the reservations now and get ready for the most thrilling time of your life!
Thank you for reading! We hope that you use this story as inspiration and make it to your next Super Bowl! Make sure you are following all things sports on Belly Up Sports, and following us on all social media platforms. Tik Tok robbiebsports , Instagram The Brothers Brandt, Twitter Brothers Brandt.
