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What you actually need to know to enjoy the Super Bowl in Santa Clara 2026
Experiencing America’s biggest sports event for the first time? Here’s what you actually need to know to enjoy the Super Bowl in Santa Clara 2026!
The Super Bowl is not just a game; it’s a cultural event. Over 100 million people in the U.S. alone watch the Super Bowl every year, and many of them aren’t even sports fans.
In fact, the actual game itself lasts around 1 hour, but the whole event spans 3-4 hours, with performances, commercials, and various forms of entertainment throughout.
So you don’t need to know the rules of the game to enjoy America’s biggest event of the year, nor do you need to watch every second of it. In fact, most Super Bowl spectators focus only on a few key moments.
The 4 things people actually watch during the Super Bowl
Whether you’re heading to Santa Clara or planning to watch it on TV, here are 4 things you actually need to know to enjoy the Super Bowl.
The halftime show
Many non-sports fans tune in to the Super Bowl just for the halftime show. Over the years, this 15-minute break has become a huge cultural moment throughout (and beyond) the States.
Each year, one of the country’s most famous music artists takes the stage for an electrifying mini-concert that people talk about for years to come. For example, Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance and Prince’s 2007 halftime show are still considered the best Super Bowl halftime shows of all time.
What’s more, the halftime show’s popularity continues to grow. Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 halftime performance set a new record, with a whopping 133.5 million people tuning in. In fact, the same number of people were watching the halftime show as the game itself.
The commercials
The Super Bowl is one of the few times when viewers actually look forward to seeing the commercials. Rather than being seen as an interruption, the commercials are a major part of the event’s cultural conversation and one of the most viewed moments.
With over 100 million Americans watching the game live on TV, advertisers have a rare chance to reach a massive audience. Because of this, big brands spend millions to be part of this huge cultural moment, paying $6–7 million for a 30-second slot.
Brands see this as their chance to shine, and they take it seriously. They create their most creative ads with movie-level visuals, celebrity cameos, and clever storytelling.
Some are humorous, some heartwarming, some nostalgic, and some pretty bold and controversial. That emotional impact makes the ads more memorable than typical commercials.
Many past Super Bowl ads have sparked conversations, memes, and headlines for days or weeks after the game.
One example is the Tubi Prank Ad from 2023’s Super Bowl. The ad cleverly started with what looked like a normal return to the broadcast screen, before the cursor moved on its own and the interface suddenly switched to Tubi. Millions of confused viewers suddenly thought someone had accidentally sat on the remote.
The score (only at key moments)
While the actual Super Bowl games last around 60 minutes, you don’t have to keep your eyes permanently glued to the screen. Many people check in periodically, splitting their time between spectating and socializing.
The most critical moments of the game when you should pay attention are:
- The final minutes of each half: Games often swing right before halftime and at the very end as teams push harder, take more risks, and big plays happen fast.
- The fourth quarter: This is when strategy gets intense. If the score is close, every possession can decide the winner.
- Anytime the game is within one score: If the difference is 8 points or less, the game can change with a single touchdown or field goal.
- Big momentum moments: Turnovers, long touchdowns, or controversial referee calls can suddenly shift the direction of the game.
The social experience
Outside of these three key moments, it’s totally fine to relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the experience.
The Super Bowl is not an event where people watch in silence, paying close attention to every detail. It’s a vibrant social occasion.
- At home, friends and families gather for watch parties where the snacks, drinks, and laughs are just as important as the touchdowns.
- At the stadium and in sports bars, there’s a party atmosphere, where people are chatting, eating, drinking, and generally having a good time.
The big plays, funny commercials, and the halftime show create shared moments, where group reactions are half the fun. Both die-hard fans and those who don’t follow football get swept up in this communal energy.
The only football basics worth knowing
If you don’t know much about American football and it’s your first time tuning in, here’s what you actually need to know to enjoy the Super Bowl, in terms of football knowledge:
- Touchdown: This is usually the most exciting moment of the game, and it happens when a team gets the ball into the end zone, scoring 6 points.
- Field goal: This is a smaller win where a player kicks the ball through the posts earns three points.
- Halftime: This is when the game pauses and the famous halftime show happens.
- Final minutes: This is often the peak of the game drama when comebacks are most likely to happen. It’s when most people will be paying attention.
That’s really all you need to know. Don’t get caught up in trying to understand penalties, formations, or strategy, just cheer when everyone else does!
Surrounding events in Santa Clara (it’s more than the game)
If you’re heading to Santa Clara for Super Bowl 2026, your Super Bowl experience will extend beyond the 3-4 hours of broadcast time.
Each year, the host city transforms into a hub of festivities, with a party atmosphere that lasts for days, not just on Super Bowl Sunday. And contrary to common belief, you don’t need to spend thousands on stadium tickets to feel the excitement.
From NFL fan events to public watch parties and those famous tailgates, the Super Bowl blends sports, travel, and culture. By heading to Santa Clara for the Super Bowl, you’ll get to share the energy, reactions, and celebrations with tens of thousands of fellow fans.
Here’s a brief overview of how to experience the Super Bowl in Santa Clara without tickets, and have an epic USA weekend trip you’ll remember for a lifetime.
- Gameday rituals: The atmosphere outside Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara will be buzzing on game day as many fans arrive hours early to soak up the pre-game hype. Expect chanting, team flags waving, music blasting, and faces painted in team colors.
- Tailgates: Tailgating is the ultimate Super Bowl pre-game activity, where fans gather in the stadium parking lots. There are burgers and wings on the grill, fun games happening, and plenty of friendly banter. The social event is open to all, so anyone can join!
- NFL fan events: Throughout Super Bowl week, the NFL is running various fan events in and around Santa Clara, including a week-long immersive football festival with interactive games and chances to meet NFL players.
Stay connected throughout Super Bowl weekend with Holafly
If you’re heading to Santa Clara for Super Bowl weekend, don’t be left without data. With tens of thousands of fans in the city, public WiFi will be slow, and if you’re traveling from overseas, USA roaming fees can quickly add up.
That’s why we recommend getting a Holafly eSIM before you arrive. With fast, reliable, and unlimited data across the USA, you can navigate events, locate the best watch parties, and stream the game without any disruptions.
Get your Holafly eSIM for the USA here!
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Hey, I’m Mika! I’m an SEO specialist with 7+ years of experience and a passion for travel info that actually helps you explore smarter. I write travel guides and tips backed by SEO insights so you can spend less time searching and more time adventuring.
