San Jose Celebrates Super Bowl with Festivities at San Pedro Square
San Jose transformed into a vibrant hub of Super Bowl excitement as fans descended upon the city in the days leading up to game at Levi’s Stadium. At the heart of the celebrations was San Pedro Square, which became a focal point for fans of both the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
Thousands of visitors poured into the South Bay, with many arriving at San Jose International Airport eager to secure their spot at the Super Bowl. Jason Trichler, a season ticket holder from Seattle, expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m a season ticket holder for 20 years and I won the lottery to be able to get a ticket at face value.” The influx of fans created a lively atmosphere, with hundreds gathering at San Pedro Square for music, dancing, and NFL merchandise.
The Super Bowl surge proved beneficial for local businesses. Johnny Clarke, a San Jose vendor, noted, “Business is exceptional, look at all the crowds it’s amazing.” Bars were packed, and vendors reported brisk sales of everything from t-shirts to honey. Despite the rivalry between teams, a sense of unity prevailed as fans enjoyed the California sunshine.
San Jose officially embraced the festivities with the opening of its first Entertainment Zone, allowing patrons to take their drinks onto the streets around San Pedro Square. The “San Pedro SuperFest” kicked off on and ran through the Super Bowl, featuring a watch party, a 100-yard artificial turf area, local bands and DJs on two stages, a culture night market, and selfie spots with Super Bowl LX and NBC Sports backdrops.
A pop-up NFL shop opened in the former Olla Cocina space, offering official Super Bowl LX merchandise. Joby Aviation, a Santa Cruz-based electric air-taxi company, showcased a display that included a simulator, and Captain Morgan rum featured a pirate ship outside San Pedro Square Market on St. John Street.
To encourage exploration of the area, visitors received football-themed bead necklaces at bars and restaurants, which could be exchanged for scratcher cards offering a chance to win $25 gift cards and miniature trophies. Contests were also held for larger prizes, including tickets and gear from local sports teams like the San Jose Giants, Earthquakes, and Sharks, as well as Southwest Airlines tickets and an 88-inch television.
The excitement extended beyond San Pedro Square. The San Jose Civic Center hosted the “End Zone Experience,” featuring sports memorabilia and meet-and-greets with players like Eric Wright, Frank Gore, and Patrick Willis. Newly elected Hall of Famer Roger Craig’s signed helmets were also on display. Gabe Scarpelli, with the End Zone Experience, explained their goal: “For us, we’re bringing in some great athletes people want to meet and, hopefully fulfilling some childhood dreams.”
Downtown San Jose also hosted a block party at San Pedro Square and a concert in front of City Hall. Fans arrived from across the region and the world, taking in concerts, meet-and-greets, and opportunities to see sports memorabilia. One Patriots fan, Kim Springer, shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I want to see everything I can see while I’m here. I’ve not been to this area before.”
Even transportation to the game became part of the experience. A group of Seahawks fans arrived in a bus they dubbed the “Beast Bus,” recounting a challenging journey with multiple breakdowns. Fans arriving at San Jose Mineta International Airport were greeted with Super Bowl-themed swag.
Gwen Trotter, a Seahawks fan from Seattle, described the atmosphere at San Pedro Square as “nice, really, really nice. It’s like a market that’s why we came.” The city of San Jose made a concerted effort to provide a memorable experience for Super Bowl fans, ensuring a festive atmosphere throughout the weekend.
