Every winter, America comes together to celebrate its favorite sport, football. The Super Bowl brings the nation to a halt as 100 million people all switch on their TVs to see the winner of the NFL be decided for that season.
This festival of football is more than just a game though. It’s an annual tradition, comprised of many popular rituals and gaieties including the half-time show which is always performed by legendary musicians, and the ads that provide even more entertainment.
It’s an event for everyone, not just the fans of the two teams that made it all the way through the playoffs to win their conference titles. Those that support other teams and those that don’t watch any other games throughout the year all share in this uniting moment of fun, frolics, and football.
It’s also a popular occasion for sports betting, with people who make regular wagers being joined by those that just want to have some skin in the game for the biggest football match of the year. Most sportsbooks offer Super Bowl odds throughout the year, but they see the most activity in the final few days before the big game. For punters, betting earlier could mean better odds though, as success in the earlier stages of the playoffs usually means a team will see its chances improve.
Wagering has become a much bigger part of the Super Bowl ritual in recent years with the launch of mobile betting in some states, meaning fans can do it from in front of their TV while they watch.
For a small number of fans, usually the most diehard supporters of the contenders, the only way to watch the Super Bowl is in the stadium. If you are one of these and your team makes it to the Super Bowl in 2022, you’ll be heading to the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The home of the Chargers and Rams can expand to fit 100,000 spectators and it is expected to be a sell-out for Super Bowl LVI. So if you’re heading to the city, here are some other things you can do while you’re there.
Watch Another Sport
The NFL isn’t the only sport that has a strong presence in LA. The city is home to nine other major league sports teams, including the Dodgers, Galaxy, Lakers, Clippers, and Sparks. While not all teams will be playing at the same time, some will, so why not combine your Super Bowl trip into a sports vacation.
Take a Stadium Tour
For teams that aren’t playing while you’re visiting the City of Angels, you’ll find stadium tours are available for you to get a glimpse of what it’s like behind the scenes at some of the best and most prestigious facilities in the US.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which broke ground 100 years ago is the oldest on the list. It’s the home of the USC Trojans college football team, the US international soccer team, and the LA Giltinis Major League Rugby team. In 2028, the stadium will also host the Olympic Games for the third time. There is a lot of history in the Coliseum, much of which is commemorated by the Court of Honor plaques.
Other great stadium tours include Dodger Stadium and LA Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park.
Visit a Sports Bar
The great thing about attending a major sporting event in person is that you get to absorb the electric atmosphere. This isn’t just confined to the stadium though, the few days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday will be filled with excitement and anticipation throughout LA.
This is why being around like-minded people in a sports bar is a great idea. You can make new football friends, chat about your predictions for the big game, and share in the special occasion with other revelers.
Great options include Village Idiot in Fairfax, The Shelby in Beverly Grove, FishBar in Manhattan Beach, and Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood as not only do they offer a great place to watch sports, they also serve great food.
Featured Image Credit: Andrii Lievientsov