The 49ers have long been interested in hosting another Super Bowl. Despite the perhaps underwhelming and — some would argue — already outdated environs of Levi’s Stadium, the team will get its wish.
Per Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal, the 49ers are expected to host the 2026 Super Bowl, pending an owner’s vote next week.
The stadium hosted Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers back in 2016. Their then-widely criticized grass surface has undergone improvements and is now viewed positively by players.
There have been myriad updates to amenities in the stadium — the 49ers have not-so-subtly been advertising their “newly renovated owners suites” — but the location in Santa Clara has often confused visiting fans, especially when it hosted the CFP Championship in 2019.
Areas surrounding Levi’s Stadium are, well, limited. There are very few bars or food options that are walkable. The area contains parking lots, corporate buildings and little else.
While other stadiums, including the brand-new SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas have limited walkability, the innovative nature of those stadiums — in design and experience —tends to outweigh the criticisms that comes with them.
There will be some improvements needed at Levi’s before then. The organization is discernibly aware of that, having borrowed $125 million for improvements as part of their bid to secure the 2026 Super Bowl. Suite renovations are reportedly the first step in that process in 2024-25, and will be accompanied by a video board upgrade.
Regardless of any opinions positive or negative about the stadium, it appears the organization has done enough to host another Super Bowl in the Bay.