Top 5 Super Bowl host cities

February 2, 2013

Written by: Brett Ackroyd on February 2, 2013.

What makes a great Super Bowl host city?

Stadium aside (although the one in the featured image, above, by JohnSeb looks pretty spectacular), it’s got to offer an electric atmosphere, an invitation to indulge in excess, amazing nightlife, tons of restaurants, interesting things to do outside of the game, loads of places to stay and a nice moderate climate.

Here’s our pick of the top five cities and regions out from the 13 that have hosted America’s greatest sporting spectacle to date. And to start off, here’s the half-time entertainment: Beyonce. There are rumours that Psy, of Gangnam Style fame, will sing too…

Beyonce - Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show. Photo: iam.beyonce.com

The Traveling Man. Deep Ellum Neighbourhood in Dallas, Texas. Photo by mabecerra

Dallas, Texas. Photo by Iain Farrell

5) Dallas/Fort Worth

Number hosted: 1
Last hosted: 2011
Average February temperature: 61 high | 37 low
Party atmosphere: 5/10
Major pro: Arguably the best stadium in the league for views of the game
Major con: Freezing conditions

Los Angeles on a (Super Bowl?) Sunday morning. Photo by JohnWCoke

Los Angeles’ legendary club scene. Photo by ricardodiaz11

4) Los Angeles

Number hosted: 7
Last hosted: 1993
Average February temperature: 69 high | 49 low
Party atmosphere: 7/10
Major pro: Incredible array of things to do
Major con: The traffic

The Gaslamp Quarter at night. Photo by PatLoika

Mickey’s at the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego. Photo by N Stjerna

3) San Diego

Number hosted: 3
Last hosted: 2003
Average February temperature: 65 high | 51 low
Party atmosphere: 8/10
Major pro: SoCal’s famous easy-going outlook
Major con: Terrible public transportation

Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Photo by paularps

Rebirth stands outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

“Rebirth” stands outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. It depicts Steve Gleason, the former New Orleans Saint, blocking a punt against the Atlanta Falcons during the first Monday Night Football game after the Superdome re-opened after Hurricane Katrina. Photo by lam_chihang

2) New Orleans

Number hosted: 10 (including 2013)
Last hosted: 2002
Average February temperature: 67 high | 48 low
Party atmosphere: 9/10
Major pro: New Orleans parties like every day’s Super Bowl Sunday
Major con: Ranks as one of the least clean cities in the U.S.

Miami at night. Photo by wyntuition

Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida. Photo by minds-eye

1) Miami

Number hosted: 10
Last hosted: 2010
Average February temperature: 75 high | 63 low
Party atmosphere: 9/10
Major pro: The weather, the beaches, the nightlife, Miami’s the whole package
Major con: Stadium isn’t up to scratch