The NFL won’t let you tailgate before the Super Bowl — but this gym will
Did your tailgating plans get ruined for Super Bowl Sunday?
The NFL says it won’t allow fans to party before the game with tents and grills — but a nearby fitness gym will.
24-Hour Fitness, 19371 NW 27th Ave., is renting its parking lot through Premier Parking for game day, and tailgating is allowed if you clean up after yourself.
The downside?
Parking rates are also more expensive than at the stadium. A standard size car or SUV permit at Hard Rock Stadium costs $120. At the fitness lot, you should expect to pay between $250 and $325 for a space depending on availability. Rates for limos and RVs run from $700 to $800 at the fitness lot.
It may be worth it if all you want to do is tailgate in the shadows of the stadium or head to other events in the area, said Justin Martin, east coast vice president of Premier Parking.
The gym is only a few minutes’ walk from Vewtopia X Superfest Miami Live, 19261 NW 27th Ave; Bullseye Event Group’s Players Tailgate, Northwest 27th Avenue and 191st Street; and Mayor’s Watch Party and Big Game Celebration, 19101 NW 27th Ave.
And if you are going to the game itself, it’s about a 13-minute walk to Hard Rock Stadium.
What’s the difference between Hard Rock Stadium and 24-Hour Fitness parking?
Fans who have tickets to the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs are the only ones allowed to buy parking at Hard Rock Stadium for the Super Bowl.
You can eat, drink and play music before the game — but it has to be kept to an individual parking spot. You also can’t have grills or tents for traditional tailgating. It’s NFL policy.
The rules are slightly different at the 24-hour Fitness lot.
The gym will be closed Sunday to accommodate tailgaters in its 288 parking spaces and anyone can buy a space, Martin said.
Your “tailgating” space will be limited to the parking spots you purchase, just like at Hard Rock Stadium. But you can bring grills, Martin said. Tents will also be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
Remember you won’t have too much space in either location once your car is parked.
The lots at Hard Rock Stadium open at 1 p.m. Feb. 2. The fitness gym lot will open at 9 a.m. and will let you have your car there until 1 a.m. Monday. Martin says the lot will have security and portable toilets because the gym will be closed.
How to rent a space at the fitness lot?
There are about 220 parking spots available, as of Wednesday morning. Only three spots are available for limos and RVs, respectively.
Martin recommends fans reserve their parking spot in advance using the apps ParkWhiz, SpotHero or Premier Parking. Staff will also accept cash and credit cards the day of the game until the parking lot is full.
On Sunday, fans will have to show a QR code (either on your cellphone or printed out) to a lot attendant before being allowed into the lot. Once you drive out of the lot, you will not be allowed back in.
This story was originally published January 29, 2020 at 12:11 PM.
