San José to Host 2026 Super Bowl Opening Night
Football's biggest week kicks off with Super Bowl Opening Night in Bay Area’s biggest City
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2025
Media Contact:
Tasha Dean, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
SAN JOSÉ, CA - The Bay Area’s largest city will host Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday, Feb. 2, kicking off football’s biggest week at the San José McEnery Convention Center. Opening Night is the NFL’s official kickoff event, featuring all players and coaches from both teams, live entertainment, and fan activities that mark the start of Super Bowl week. It marks the second time San José has hosted the event, the first being at SAP Center for the 2016 Super Bowl.
“When you touch down at San José Mineta International Airport, you’ll be just ten minutes from Levi’s Stadium and the NFL’s Opening Night,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “We’re also organizing world-class concerts, drone shows and culinary experiences walking distance from Downtown so residents and visitors alike have an unforgettable Super Bowl experience right here in San José.”
Thousands of reporters from around the globe will descend on the Capital of Silicon Valley to offer fans a first look at this year’s big game. The city will soon announce programming for residents and visitors on Opening Night and throughout Super Bowl weekend – both centered in Downtown and spread across the city.
“We are thrilled to welcome Super Bowl Opening Night to San José McEnery Convention Center,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “By hosting media from all over the country, the nation’s 12th largest city's cultural richness and vibrancy will be showcased and enjoyed by the world! The sporting events happening in 2026 will create a legacy of community pride, economic impact, and regional influence, and will position San José as the South Bay’s hub for sports, arts, and entertainment.”
Opening Night provides an exciting opportunity to hear directly from Super Bowl players and coaches during their only public appearance before the big game. Super Bowl Opening Night fueled by Gatorade is free to fans and promises a thrilling experience with two separate viewing sessions, when fans will have the chance to attend either the AFC champions’ appearance or the NFC champions’ appearance, which will be held in back-to-back windows. Fans will be able to cheer on their conference team, hear from players and coaches, and be part of the Super Bowl energy as it officially kicks off in the Bay Area.
“The Bay Area is made up of distinct, diverse communities across multiple counties, so we’re excited to have Super Bowl LX as a moment to showcase the full identity of the region,” said Zaileen Janmohamed, president & CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee. “Our goal is to not only unite the entire Bay so that the energy and impact of the Super Bowl is felt everywhere, but also to deliver meaningful impact that lasts long after the game is over. Today’s news is just the beginning – there will be much more to come.”
Fans interested in attending one of the team’s appearances will need to download and register on the NFL OnePass app beginning December 10. Please note that registration on the NFL OnePass app does not guarantee entry. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
About the City of San José
With nearly one million residents, San José is the largest city in the Bay Area and one of the nation's most diverse and creative. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center in the heart of Silicon Valley has resulted in the world's greatest concentration of technology talent and development.