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Home arrow Destinations arrow Top 5 Super Bowl Host Cities

Top 5 Super Bowl Host Cities

by Gil Vieira, Publisher
HOFN.com Exclusive
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Let's make one thing clear. The Super Bowl must always be played in the United States. This nonsense of playing America's greatest sport spectacle in Europe is blasphemy.

So, that said, which U.S. cities are best suited to host America's premier sporting event? Please note that I used the word "event" not game. As long as the city has a warm climate and a stadium with enough seats to fill the NFL's wallet, the actual game-site is irrelevant to me. It's the host city's ambience and logistics that is critical to the overall Super Bowl experience. For those who have never been to a Super Bowl, trust me, the week-long events and party atmosphere leading up to the game are as important, if not more so, than the game itself.

A poll in HOFmagazine.com asks, which of the following five cities is the best location for the Super Bowl? Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, San Diego, or Tampa. I've been fortunate to spend much time in these great cities. I have some interesting stories from all, however, I'll stick to just ranking them for Super Bowl purposes.

5. Los Angeles

What can be written about this city that hasn't already been published? Most visitors either love it or hate it, but it should be on your Bucket List as a must see. As the host of Super Bowl I (which was actually called the AFL-NFL World Championship Game) in 1967 at the LA Memorial Coliseum - and subsequent Super Bowls at Pasadena's Rose Bowl, it's unquestionably one of America's most fun cities. From Hollywood to Malibu - Santa Monica to Marina Del Rey - and down to Long Beach, there are plenty of great restaurants, bars, nightclubs, beaches, and beautiful people. But, it's too spread out for my liking to host this event. Again, there's no doubt you'd have fun here, but you'll likely be hanging out with many people who have no idea a football game is in town. LA is simply too big and lacks logistics to get ranked higher.

4. Tampa

For those who travel to Florida via I-95 to their favorite east coast spots, try traveling I-75 for a change and enjoy the Gulf Coast. Your first stop should be the Tampa Bay area - home of some great beaches. However, this ranking isn't about beaches. On a smaller scale, Tampa Bay runs into some of LA's logistic problems - it's too spread out. Basically, the area consists of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, hence, the term Tampa Bay. Obviously, the area has some great waterfront dining, but what gets Tampa the #4 rank is Ybor City. Located just northeast of Tampa - a streetcar ride away, Ybor City is known as Tampa's Latin Quarter and is considered one of Florida's top-ranked night spots. Stroll down La Setima - the main street of the Historic District, and you'll find a variety of cuisine. But, it's the nightlife that makes this a great attraction. Throughout the night, you'll hear Jazz, Blues, Salsa, Reggae, and even hip-hop emanating from bars and nightclubs - making Ybor City a great consolidated area for Super Bowl partying.

3. San Diego

San Diego Super Bowl
Warm yet wild, San Diego is a hard city to beat for fun and games.

America's Finest City. That's how the city promotes itself - and you won't get an argument from me. I've been to most major American cities, and San Diego is my favorite. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Mexico, deserts and mountains - and offering a consistent climate, you might wonder why San Diego only ranks #3. (Well, since I once lived there, maybe I just didn't want to be accused of prejudice.) While there's much fun along the 70-miles of beaches from Coronado and Mission Beach to La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas and Oceanside - it's downtown San Diego that offers Super Bowl fans the ability to walk to all the shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs they need to keep them happy. Fans can enjoy the waterfront at Seaport Village - or walk up the street and party in the Gaslamp District with great music and beautiful people. San Diego is one of America's nightlife hot spots - and provides a great Super Bowl atmosphere.

2. Miami

Miami Super Bowl
Miami is America's classic sun and sin city in the winter.

In 2010, the Miami-area will be hosting its 10th Super Bowl - most by any city. And why not? Forget that the stadium is a trek, get your butt to Miami Beach and, more specifically, South Beach - and you may never make it to the game! Hang out on Ocean Drive in the Art Deco District with a cocktail and just take in the view. From vintage cars, Harleys, celebrities and, oh yes, those beautiful models - you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. Nightlife is 'the-way-of-live' on South Beach, so Super Bowl fans just need to get out of their hotel room and they'll run into fun by accident. Food and drink is abundant but, if you like crab, be sure to head down to Joe's Stone Crab - it's the best. However, try to remember why you're there - and set your alarm for the game. The beautiful people alone make Miami my #2 Super Bowl city.



 

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