Super Bowl opening night festivities will prioritize the fan experience
The NFL has something special planned for Miami.
League officials announced their strategy to prioritize the fan experience at Super Bowl opening night, the big game’s national kick-off extravaganza. The event, which takes place at 7 p.m. on January 27, 2020 at Marlins Park, will provide fans unprecedented access to both teams the only time they’re under one roof before the big game.
“For the first time, fans will have the ability to go down onto the field and see the interviews up close and personal,” Eric Finkelstein, the NFL’s senior director of event operations, told a group of reporters Tuesday at the ballpark.
The move, Finkelstein says, was the next step in bringing fans, especially those who are local, closer to the action. Formerly known as Super Bowl Media Day, the event used to be restricted to only the press. That changed in 2012 when fans were finally allowed in the venue yet confined to their seats.
Super Bowl 46 “really showed us that this was a unique experience for the fans, and we’ve tried to build on it ever since with moving it to prime time and trying to accommodate more people,” Finkelstein said.
The event will be split into two, one-hour interview sessions. Captains and coaches will be made available for interviews between the two segments. In addition to the on-field action, the ballpark’s concourse will be lined with a variety of activities including autograph signings as well as photo opportunities with current and former NFL players.
But the NFL didn’t stop there. Those looking to be the next Stephen A. Smith or Skip Bayless will have the opportunity to test their skills.
“There will be an interview position set up just for the fans to be able to ask questions and engage with the players,” Finkelstein continued.
That means if you ever wanted to know whether [insert player’s name here] has a lucky pair of underwear or how [insert another player’s name here] prepares for a big game, you will now have a chance to ask. Questions will be submitted through the NFL OnePass app, and while the most outrageous inquiries probably won’t make the cut, you can’t be faulted for trying.
“We wanted to make sure the local fans can experience the Super Bowl in a number of different ways,” said Matt Shapiro, NFL Vice President of Event Strategy.
Tickets are on sale now for $25 at NFL.com/SuperBowlOpeningNight.
