The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event in the United States, watched by over 100 million viewers each year. As the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), tickets to the Super Bowl are some of the most coveted in all of sports.
But do all NFL team owners automatically get Super Bowl tickets? As owners of NFL franchises, they have a major investment in the league. So it would make sense for them to have guaranteed access to the Super Bowl.
Do NFL Owners Get Complimentary Super Bowl Tickets?
Yes, all NFL owners do get complimentary Super Bowl tickets each year. The NFL provides each team owner with two complimentary Super Bowl tickets and two complimentary tickets to each Super Bowl event. This has been the policy for decades.
So every owner of the 32 NFL teams (and any new expansion teams in the future) is guaranteed two tickets to the Super Bowl game itself as well as access to all of the exclusive Super Bowl parties and events leading up to the big game.
Owners Get Tickets Regardless of Whether Their Team Is Playing
Importantly, owners get these Super Bowl tickets regardless of whether their team is actually playing in the Super Bowl or not. So even if an owner’s team finished last in the league with the worst record, they still are ensured two tickets to the championship game.
The two guaranteed tickets for each owner are distributed in addition to any other tickets the participating Super Bowl teams receive to distribute to their front office, players, and staff. The tickets for owners are separate from the allotment given to the teams who make it to the Super Bowl.
Owners Have Attended Every Super Bowl
Ever since the first Super Bowl in 1967, every NFL owner has personally attended each and every Super Bowl. This is made possible by the complimentary tickets they receive each year as part of being an NFL franchise owner.
In fact, many owners see attending the Super Bowl, regardless of whether their team made it, as an important responsibility of league leadership and stewardship. They represent their teams and the NFL brand by being present at the biggest game.
What Other Super Bowl Perks Do NFL Owners Get?
In addition to the two tickets to the championship game itself, NFL owners also enjoy a number of other perks related to the Super Bowl each year:
- Two tickets to all major Super Bowl parties and events
- Luxury hotel accommodations
- Private transport to Super Bowl events
- Access to exclusive VIP pre- and post-game parties
- Commemorative Super Bowl gift bags
So they get the full VIP treatment with complimentary admission to all of the A-list Super Bowl parties, celebrity events, and private concerts leading up to kickoff. This access allows them to network and socialize with other powerful sports, media, and business figures.
Owners Get Choice Seats
In addition to just getting tickets, NFL owners also get premium seats at the Super Bowl itself. Their two complimentary tickets are for choice seats in the lower levels near the 50 yard line. So they get to experience the game from some of the best vantage points in the stadium.
In contrast, most other attendees are seated higher up in the end zone or corner areas. Owners get the luxury of seats near midfield to observe the action up close.
How Are Super Bowl Tickets Allocated to Teams?
We’ve covered the two tickets each owner is allotted. But for the teams actually playing in the Super Bowl, how are their tickets divided up?
The AFC and NFC champions who meet in the Super Bowl each get an allotment of tickets to distribute to their organization and partners. Here’s the breakdown:
- Organization – Including front office executives, football operations, and other team staffers. Around 200 tickets.
- Players – The active roster gets around 15 tickets per player. Practice squad players get 2 each. So around 400 total for players.
- NFL Partners – Sponsors, broadcast partners, media etc. Around 700 tickets.
- Fans – The general public has a chance to buy seats in a ticket lottery. Around 10,000 tickets go to fans.
In total, each Super Bowl team receives an allotment of around 17,500 tickets to distribute. So between the two teams, around 35,000 Super Bowl tickets go to team allocations.
Remaining Tickets Go To NFL
The remaining tickets from the stadium’s capacity, around 30,000, are retained by the NFL. Many of these go to the participating teams’ season ticketholders, via a lottery drawing. The rest go to corporate partners of the NFL.
So in summary, NFL owners are guaranteed two premium Super Bowl tickets each year. The teams playing in the game distribute their allotments to players, staff, and partners. And the NFL retains and distributes the rest.
Do Owners Have To Pay For Super Bowl Tickets?
The two Super Bowl tickets allotted to each NFL owner every year are provided complimentary as part of being an owner. Owners are not required to purchase these tickets.
However, if an owner wants additional Super Bowl tickets beyond the two they automatically receive, they would have to pay for these themselves. An owner could potentially request extra tickets if they wanted to bring a larger group.
For example, Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys is frequently seen at the Super Bowl with a large entourage of guests. In cases like this, any tickets beyond the first two allotted to each owner must be bought at face value.
Face Value Prices
The face value ticket prices for the 2023 Super Bowl are:
Lower Level Sideline | $2,000 |
Lower End Zone | $1,500 |
Upper Level Sideline | $1,000 |
Upper End Zone | $800 |
So owners would pay anywhere from $800 to $2,000 per seat if they wanted additional Super Bowl tickets beyond their two complimentary ones. Given how expensive Super Bowl tickets are on the secondary market, face value seats are a steal.
The Perks of Ownership
Being an NFL owner comes with plenty of perks – luxury suite access, special parking, team gear, etc. But one of the best perks is the annual complimentary Super Bowl tickets each owner is guaranteed.
Whether their team is playing in the Super Bowl or finished in last place, owners are ensured premium seats to the biggest game of the year. This reflects their integral role in the NFL and the many benefits that come with owning a franchise.
The automatic Super Bowl tickets provide owners unmatched access to network with other powerful figures and enjoy the spectacle of the NFL’s championship game up close. It’s a major incentive that comes along with buying into one of the most exclusive clubs in sports.
Conclusion
In summary, all 32 NFL owners receive two complimentary Super Bowl tickets each year. This has been the policy for decades and allows every owner to attend the Super Bowl annually. The tickets provide access to premium lower bowl seats near midfield, representing one of the best perks of NFL ownership.
Beyond the two tickets, owners also enjoy access to exclusive Super Bowl events, parties, gifts, and other VIP privileges. If they want additional tickets beyond their allotment, owners pay face value prices. But the two guaranteed Super Bowl tickets are provided at no cost.
So while owning an NFL team comes with many responsibilities, owners are ensured entry to the league’s biggest game and all the associated glamour and entertainment each year. Attending the Super Bowl is both an obligation and a benefit of being an owner.