Super Impacts on Super Bowl Cities

Whether you plan to watch this year’s Super Bowl for the game, the commercials, or for the much-anticipated Kendrick Lamar and SZA halftime show, it’s bound to be a spectacle. The Big Easy is hosting the big game on February 9th, and New Orleans is leveraging America’s most-watched sporting event to its advantage.

Cities that host the Super Bowl often experience major economic boosts during the event. Forbes reported that Super Bowl LVIII generated more than $877 million in gross visitor spending for Las Vegas last year. When Glendale hosted the year prior, the state of Arizona saw a nearly $726 million bump to its GDP.

So, it’s no wonder that NOLA is gearing up for a big win. This isn’t their first rodeo either – this will be the City’s 11th time hosting the Super Bowl, placing it in a tie with Miami for the most in NFL history.

Last August, the City announced that it would be offering opportunities for local artists to participate in official Superbowl events, with calls for visual artists, videographers, and even brass bands to showcase their work. The initiative is aimed at fostering economic growth and vitality within the local cultural sector.

Additionally, more than $3.5 million in grants was awarded to 65 different local nonprofit organizations last December in advance of the Superbowl. The grants will go toward supporting programs that focus on youth development, education, health and wellness, and workforce training.

The City is also spearheading several sustainability initiatives for the game, including implementing waste reduction strategies, planting trees, and even building an oyster reef.

It is worth noting that the impacts and outcomes of the Super Bowl aren’t always positive. There are associated costs and expenses, such as for emergency services, additional security measures, and infrastructure improvements. Major sporting events can also generate additional air pollution, largely from tailgating and an increase in car traffic.

The City of New Orleans is perhaps best known for its vibrant music scene, lively festivals, and mouthwatering Creole and Cajun cuisine. It has also seen challenges within recent years, so the City is attempting to make the most of its time as host.  Whether or not you’re a football fan, the initiatives and programs spurred by this year’s Super Bowl are certainly a slam dunk . . . wait, no – touchdown.