Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, where the 49ers have played since 2014, has officially been selected as the site of Super Bowl LX in a vote by NFL owners, which took place in Minneapolis. The game is scheduled for February 8, 2026.

A return to the Bay Area after 10 years

This will be the third time the Bay Area has hosted the Super Bowl. Levi's Stadium was the site of Super Bowl 50, when the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers, 24-10, on February 7, 2016. "We are honoured to once again host the Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium and host one of the greatest sporting events in the world. Since hosting Super Bowl 50 in 2016, Levi's Stadium has established its reputation as a world-class venue. I am confident that Super Bowl 60 will be a great event that will benefit the entire community," - 49ers president Al Guido said.

The team won its second Super Bowl when the NFL championship first came to the Bay Area. The 49ers then defeated the Miami Dolphins, 38-16, on January 20, 1985 at Stanford Stadium. The 49ers are expected to receive a loan of more than $120m from the NFL Stadium Fund for stadium improvements ahead of the Super Bowl and World Cup. Areas of upgrade are expected to include suites and video boards. The next two Super Bowls are scheduled for February 10, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and February 9, 2025 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

© Jim G (cc: by)

A golden year ahead of Levi's Stadium

It promises to be a crucial time for the stadium in Santa Clara, which will also host many of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in three years' time. The venue itself was inaugurated not so long ago, in 2014. There are now changes planned in connection with it, which relate to the spate of events to be held in the stadium's area. The 49ers hope to begin Levi's Stadium renovation project soon, which will add 9 more suites to the 23 they already own, which are located in the stadium. The plan also calls for an upgrade of more than 100 standard boxes, including the installation of additional amenities in their interiors.

The 49ers intend to complete the renovation project in two phases - half of the suites will be done before the 2024 season and the other before the 2025 season, so as not to disrupt the schedule of private events at Levi's Stadium. It hosts about a hundred such events a year. The 49ers will pay for the project out of their capital expenditure budget, but have also applied to take advantage of a program that allows certain fees to be waived. It is not yet known exactly how much funding the investment will consume. What is revealed is that the internationally recognized Populous group is participating in the design, and the contractor, Devcon, is known.

Levi's Stadium is not the only facility with which renovations are connected before the World Cup. Some of the biggest changes will take place in Mexico City - at Estadio Azteca and its neighbourhood. The surroundings of the arena are to be rebuilt in preparation for the big tournament. The plans are very ambitious and include a complete revitalization of the nearby area. However, these are not on a schedule.

© David Shamma