By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
Super Bowl 58 is literally rolling into Las Vegas, with National Football League contractors, vendors and staffers already here in Sin City to prepare for the big game at Allegiant Stadium Feb. 11.
Playing host to the NFL’s premier event does not come free for Las Vegas.
LVSportsBiz.com has reported that the Las Vegas tourism agency — the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) — approved $40 million to spend on hosting the game.
Meanwhile, an offshoot of the LVCVA’s hosting duties — the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee — is charged with raising another $20 million.
You may have noticed that the NFL tries to say “thanks” to Super Bowl host cities by holding activities like planting trees, organizing business network sessions and painting utility boxes near Allegiant Stadium.
Take a look at the $60 million budget that is paid for the LVCVA and the Super Bowl Host Committee:
In all, 125,000 people like fans, vendors, contractors, NFL staffers, sponsors and media will be in Las Vegas for Super Bowl 58. A total of 330,000 out-of-towners are expected for the Super Bowl, according to the LVCVA. What’s newsworthy about the 330,000 number is that more than 300,000 visitors come to Las Vegas during Super Bowl weekend when Las Vegas is not hosting the championship game.
In the case of Las Vegas and Super Bowl 58, the local infrastructure is ideal to host a massive influx of visitors, The airport is close to the Strip, which includes Mandalay Bay’s hotel-casino and convention center where the media center and many Super Bowl activities will be staged.
The stadium is a 15-minute walk over the Hacienda Avenue bridge from Mandalay Bay, with the Hacienda span closed to cars starting Saturday.