They pick Super Bowl locations through a long, criteria‑heavy process that ends with all 32 NFL team owners voting on a host city years in advance. The league now pre-selects suitable cities and stadiums, then asks them to submit detailed proposals that are evaluated for stadium quality, weather, infrastructure, and local support before being put to an owners’ vote.

How the process works

  • The NFL first identifies a short list of cities and stadiums that meet core hosting standards (NFL market, modern stadium, capacity, infrastructure). Since around 2018, the league has shifted away from open “bidding wars” to this invite/shortlist model.
  • Those cities work with local governments and tourism boards to prepare a massive proposal (often hundreds of pages) covering logistics, finances, and guarantees to the league.
  • The NFL’s internal committees review these proposals and then present recommendations to all 32 team owners, who vote to approve or reject a proposed host.
  • Once approved, the league publicly announces the host, typically 3–5 years before the game so the city can fully prepare.

What a stadium/city needs

To even get on the radar, a city and stadium have to clear some key minimums.

  • NFL team market: The stadium must be in a city that already hosts an NFL franchise.
  • Capacity: At least about 70,000 seats, with the option for temporary seating if approved by the league.
  • Weather or roof: In colder markets, either a roof is required or the league must grant a special waiver; warm-weather or domed stadiums are strongly preferred.
  • Infrastructure:
    • Tens of thousands of parking spots near the stadium (example: 35,000+ within about a mile).
* Enough hotel rooms and short‑term rentals to handle fans, media, and teams.
* Modern transportation, security, power, and communications systems around all Super Bowl venues (stadium, media center, fan fest areas).

Other factors the NFL cares about

Beyond the checklist, the league looks at softer but important factors that shape the “feel” of Super Bowl week.

  • Weather history and fan experience: Historically, warm or indoor venues get favored because Super Bowl week is a weeklong tourist event, not just a single game.
  • Event footprint: The city must have space and support for big events like the NFL Experience, concerts, and corporate hospitality near the stadium.
  • Rotation and history: The league considers how long it has been since a city last hosted and often leans on proven “Super Bowl cities” like New Orleans, Miami, and Los Angeles that have handled it well before.
  • Local politics and buy‑in: Strong cooperation from city and state leaders, plus financial incentives (tax breaks, public safety support) can make a proposal more attractive.

How it changed over time

The answer to “how do they pick Super Bowl locations” has evolved.

  • Old model (pre‑2018): Multiple cities openly bid, campaigned hard, and presented to the owners in a more competitive, convention‑style process.
  • New model (recent years): The league quietly targets specific cities that fit its strategic goals—new stadiums, desirable markets, or rewarding a team/region—and negotiates directly before a final owners’ vote.
  • Result: The same handful of warm-weather or domed cities host more often, which is a frequent complaint in fan forums and discussions about fairness.

Recent and upcoming locations

Recent decisions show how far in advance things are set and how the criteria play out.

  • Examples of recent/announced sites include modern, high‑capacity stadiums in major markets such as Santa Clara (Levi’s Stadium), Inglewood (SoFi Stadium), and Atlanta (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium), all of which hit the league’s marks on weather, infrastructure, and event space.
  • New Orleans continues to be a favorite repeat host, tying records for most Super Bowls thanks to its walkable downtown, indoor stadium, and strong tourism infrastructure.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.