Attention Bay Area: The Super Bowl is coming

Illustration+by+Brittany+England%2FThe+Pioneer

Illustration by Brittany England/The Pioneer

Louis LaVenture,
News and Sports Editor

Despite the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers’ absence from the 2016 NFL postseason, the Bay Area will feel the impact of Super Bowl 50.

The big game will be at the home of the 49ers, Levi’s Stadium, on Feb. 7 in Santa Clara, which brings with it a unique set of situations. With the entire sports and media world focused on the final game, it was estimated by Sports Illustrated Magazine that hundreds of thousands to potentially millions of people could visit the city and surrounding areas. This means the East Bay will feel that presence of visitors as well.

According to a statement released by the NFL, San Jose, Santa Clara, Oakland and San Francisco will all host events related to the game, which should drive up hotels, restaurants and retail profits for the Bay Area. According to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona which hosted Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, the city as well as the surrounding cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Tempe all reported increases in tourism spending upwards of 120 percent above the normal rate for that same time of year traditionally.

Several police departments that include the cities of Mountain View, San Jose, Santa Clara and Milpitas have all released official statements warning their residents about the impending influx of people to the area. Police told residents not to leave any valuables in their vehicles, lock their homes and expect longer than normal commute and traveling times.

Many cities, like Mountain View, will have several of their streets blocked off the weekend of Super Bowl 50, which could lead to even worse traffic conditions in other cities as well.

Ashley Wilson works at Extended Stay America Hotel in Fremont and said the crowds are evident when big events occur.

“Anytime there is a really big concert or show, especially in San Jose, we get a lot more customers than normal,” Wilson said. “We sold out of rooms for an entire week when Beyonce and Sam Smith were in town last year.”

Wilson said with the big game so close to Fremont she is expecting more guests than normal for January and February.