By the Numbers: How Super Bowl LVII was a 'phenomenal success' for Downtown Phoenix

On February 12, 2023, Arizona hosted the Super Bowl for the fourth time. While the game was played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, many of the official NFL-hosted Super Bowl events were held in the Greater Phoenix region including Downtown Phoenix. Official numbers from events, visitors, and transportation are now being reported.

“The official numbers coupled with anecdotal reviews we are receiving indicate Super Bowl LVII was a phenomenal success across all fronts and a win for Arizona,” said Jay Parry, president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee.

Downtown Phoenix was the epicenter for Super Bowl related events which included the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center, Super Bowl Opening Night, the NFL Honors annual awards show, Super Bowl Music Fest and the Super Bowl Experience at Hance Park – a free outdoor fan festival featuring live music, local food, sponsor activations, and the first-ever official Super Bowl Watch Party.

Downtown Phoenix was the epicenter for Super Bowl LVII related events. (Photo: Zee Peralta)

Here is how Downtown Phoenix faired during Super Bowl week by the numbers:

• Estimated more than 350,000 Super Bowl fans arrived in Downtown Phoenix.
• A 190′ x 10′ canvas for Kayla Newnam’s “Welcome to Phoenix” mural was built by Downtown Phoenix Inc.’s (DPI) Clean & Green Team.
• Nearly 10,000 Super Bowl fans were assisted by DTPHX Ambassadors.
• 15 Local small businesses set up pop-up retail space at Arizona Center and Regency Garage sponsored by DPI and City of Phoenix.
• 727 Super Bowl LVII street pole banners were installed by DPI’s C&G Team.
• 255,000 accounts were reached on DPI’s social media platforms.
• 4,450 pieces of #DTPHX merch including mini footballs, reusable straws and sunglasses were given to fans by DTPHX Ambassadors.
• 2 mural wraps were installed at Arizona Center sponsored by DPI.
• 101 tons of material from Super Bowl events were collected by the City of Phoenix Public Works Department.
• 200,000 visitors came through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Monday, February 13. This is the single busiest day in the Airport’s history which has an average of 120,000 passengers come through its doors on an average day.
• $2.1 million was given to 50 Arizona nonprofits through the Super Bowl Legacy Grant program.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego held a press conference held in Downtown Phoenix on Feb. 16 to highlight Super Bowl LVII stats. (Photo: Taylor Costello)

250,000 local residents and visitors traveled to Downtown Phoenix on Valley Metro Light Rail.

DPI led fundraising efforts that allowed fans attending Super Bowl LVII events at Footprint Center, Phoenix Convention Center and Margaret T. Hance Park to ride light rail for free.

“The program drastically increased the access to all the official Super Bowl events in Downtown Phoenix. The free light rail transportation helped to ensure that every member of the community who wanted to attend was able to attend. It helped with less car traffic congestion furthering a great experience for all who live, work, go to school, or visited downtown.” said DPI President & CEO Devney Majerle.

“The business community in Downtown Phoenix also saw the importance of the program as well as its many benefits. Being the great community members that they are many of them made financial donations to make it possible.”

Data will continue to be reported in the coming weeks, including a full economic impact report from Arizona State University later this year.