Arizona to Host Pro Bowl & Super Bowl
Arizona to Host Pro Bowl & Super Bowl

 

University of Phoenix Stadium will host the Pro Bowl on January 25, 2015 and Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015, marking the third time both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl will be played in the state.

"I think it will be huge," says Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill. "The Super Bowl is going to be so much bigger in 2015 than it was in 2008 with all the new events that have been created since Super Bowl XLII. Now being able to stack on the Pro Bowl, it's going to be fantastic. I remember back in 2008 how electric the town was and how much fun it was to host the game and all the different activities. This is going to be great for Arizona, the tourism industry and for football fans because we are going to get a chance to see two great games back-to-back."

Arizona's first big game, Super Bowl XXX, was held at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on January 28, 1996, with the Dallas Cowboys defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17. Super Bowl XLII was played at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 3, 2008, with the New York Giants beating the New England Patriots 17-14.

The 2015 Pro Bowl will be the third Pro Bowl played in the same city as the Super Bowl. The Los Angeles Coliseum hosted the first Super Bowl on January 15, 1967 and the Pro Bowl the following week, and South Florida hosted the Pro Bowl in 2010 a week before Super Bowl XLIV.

The 2015 Pro Bowl will be the sixth consecutive All-Star game played prior to the Super Bowl.

The 2014 Pro Bowl featured a significantly revised format that will continue this year. For the first time, the Pro Bowl was "unconferenced," and several key playing rules were changed. Rather than the familiar AFC vs. NFC match-up that had existed since 1971, players were selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players.

Several major initiatives will take over 12 city blocks in downtown Phoenix and together will serve as the hub of fan, sponsor, media and NFL activities. The activities will cover 5th Street to First Avenue and Jefferson Street to Monroe Street and be anchored by the iconic Super Bowl roman numerals, which will tower 30 feet into the air.

Super Bowl Central will feature live performances by national recording artists and local musical talent, community groups and schools, football-themed activities, and beer and wine gardens. The festival will feature family-friendly activities for fans of all ages, will be free to the public and incorporate street level merchants and restaurants. Local culture and food will be showcased.

This is a new addition to Arizona's line-up of Super Bowl activities since the state last hosted the Super Bowl in 2008, and one million visitors are expected to participate.

NFL Experience, the world's largest interactive football theme park, NFL House, a VIP hospitality headquarters, and the NFL Media Center will all be located in downtown Phoenix.

"Super Bowl Central, along with NFL Experience and NFL House, will turn downtown Phoenix into the Super Bowl epicenter," says Phoenix Mayor GREG STANTON. "It will provide both local and visiting fans an amazing opportunity to be part of this global event. Super Bowl Central delivers direct economic benefits to local businesses."

 

Super Bowl Host Cities

City Super Bowls City Super Bowls
Source: NFL
New Orleans10Houston2
South Florida10Indianapolis1
Los Angeles7Jacksonville1
Tampa Bay4Minneapolis1
San Diego3North Texas1
Arizona3New York/New Jersey1
Atlanta2San Francisco1
Detroit2  

 

Future Super Bowls

Super Bowl Date Site
Source: NFL * Tentative date
XLIXFebruary 1, 2015University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona
50February 7, 2016Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
LIFebruary 5, 2017*NRG Stadium, Houston
LIIFebruary 4, 2018*New Vikings Stadium, Minnesota

 

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Arizona to Host Pro Bowl & Super Bowl