Written by Phoenix Sky Harbor
The Super Bowl will once again be played in Arizona, and the City of Phoenix Aviation Department has been planning for several months among its three airports – Phoenix Sky Harbor, Phoenix Deer Valley and Phoenix Goodyear Airport – to ensure we’re fully prepared for the expected spike of travelers.
Super Bowl LVII will be played Sunday, Feb. 12, and this marks the fourth time the Big Game will be played in the Valley of the Sun.
Interestingly, the day after the Super Bowl – Feb. 13 – will likely be the busiest day of the year for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. In 2015, the last time Arizona hosted the Big Game, the airport broke a single day record for the number of passengers traveling through the airport the day after the Super Bowl.
Here are some other notable facts from the day after the Big Game in 2015:
- Approximately 175,000 passengers
- 1,500 takeoffs and landings
- 42,957 passenger bags screened
- 12,116 Rental Car Returns
- Average security checkpoint wait time – 10 minutes or less
The airport is anticipating in 2023 to see more than 180,000 passengers the day after Big Game with similar numbers to 2015 for takeoffs and landings.
But Phoenix Sky Harbor is prepared, having successfully welcomed Super Bowl visitors three times already. Phoenix Sky Harbor is working with the Super Bowl Host Committee, the NFL, the airlines, TSA, car rental companies and other partners to ensure special operational plans and additional staff are in place.
You can expect to see extra TSA staff as well as increased customer service staff positioned in key areas inside the airport terminals to welcome visitors and provide assistance. Our Navigator volunteers will also be out in full force to answer airport-related questions and will team up with Super Bowl volunteers, who will be on hand to answer event-related questions.
If you’re interested on travel tips or more information as it relates to the Big Game and the Airport, please the visit the Super Bowl section of skyharbor.com/superbowl