Super Bowl Sunday: Where to Watch, What to Know
Viewing parties at the GSU and dorms, road closures, and safety tips
Staff prepare the field at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on February 4 ahead of Sunday’s NFL Super Bowl 60 game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Photo by Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
Super Bowl Sunday: Where to Watch, What to Know
Viewing parties at the GSU and dorms, road closures, and safety tips
It’s finally here—the biggest day of the year for football fans. We’re talking Super Bowl LX. And it’s an especially big day in Boston for fans of the New England Patriots. The Pats take on the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, starting at 6:30 pm EST. This is the Patriots’ 11th time making it to the big game since the Super Bowl launched in 1967, almost 60 years ago.
Everyone will be watching to see how the team’s new star quarterback, Drake Maye, and new coach (and former Patriot) Mike Vrabel perform.
The Big Game draws one of the year’s largest television audiences. An estimated 125 million viewers—just in the United States—will be tuning in, not only to follow the game, but also to check out the highly anticipated commercials, and of course, the legendary halftime show, which this year will be headlined by Puerto Rican pop superstar Bad Bunny. Green Day will perform during the game’s opening ceremony.
Among other performances: Charlie Puth singing the National Anthem, Grammy-winner Brandi Carlisle singing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Watch parties on campus
If you weren’t among the roughly 70,000 fans lucky enough to secure a ticket to the big game, don’t worry. BU’s Student Leadership & Impact Center, Puerto Rican Student Association, Sports Analytics Group, Alianza Latina, and Student Government are hosting a viewing party for students at the George Sherman Union Ballroom starting at 6 pm Sunday. It will feature a picnic-style watch party, so bring blankets! There will be free snacks and a big screen to watch the game. And prizes will be awarded for the most spirited outfit (whether for the Patriots, the Seahawks, or Bad Bunny!).
BU Residence Life and Residence Hall Councils will host smaller viewing parties in the Kilachand Hall Common Room, the West Campus Cinema Room (277 Babcock St.), 91 Bay State Road first floor, the first floor Franklin Lounge at 141 Bay State Road, the Warren Towers multipurpose room, and the Campus Center & Student Residence, Room 104, on the Fenway Campus, all starting at 6:30 pm. Free food and drinks will be served.
Also, BU Dining will have a special celebratory menu in dining halls on Sunday, featuring cinnamon sugar pretzels, buffalo cauliflower wings, buffalo chicken wings, soft pretzels, a Seattle Dog (a hot dog topped with cream cheese, BBQ sauce, cabbage, and caramelized onions), and a New England Dog (a hot dog topped with mustard, relish, and caramelized onions).
Staying safe
Boston University Police will work closely with the city of Boston and Boston Police to ensure that game day and post-game activities remain safe and positive.
“As you celebrate, keep safety at the center of the weekend. Big games bring big energy, and the best nights are the ones where everyone gets home safely,” Dean of Students Jason Campbell-Foster and BU Police Department Chief Robert Lowe say in an email sent to students Friday. “Look out for friends, know your limits, and step in if something doesn’t feel right. We ask everyone to make choices that reflect care for one another and the values of our community.”
Because the hometown Patriots are playing in this year’s Super Bowl, pedestrian traffic will be limited in Kenmore Square beginning at approximately 8 pm. The city notes that temporary parking, vehicle, and pedestrian access restrictions will be in effect in other locations as well, including around BU, Northeastern, Brighton, Faneuil Hall, and North Station. Because of street closures, the BU Shuttle will not be running late-night service on Sunday. Find the complete traffic advisory here.
In a message from the city, Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox (Questrom’18) urges pedestrians to pay attention to their surroundings and avoid wearing headphones or dark clothing during and after the game, so drivers can better see them. Given the frigid temperatures expected on Sunday, Cox also stresses that those who will be out and about should dress accordingly and consider staying indoors.
Anyone using rideshares like Lyft or Uber is urged to check the license plate number and the vehicle description once they receive a confirmation, and when the car pulls up, to verify the plate number and the car’s make and model, as well as the driver’s name. Riders should never get in a car they didn’t order or a car that doesn’t match the information they received in the confirmation text.
You can read more about the City of Boston’s Super Bowl Safety message here.
Enjoy the game, stay safe, and Go, Pats!