Attending the Super Bowl in person has long been considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for football fans, but for many, the cost of entry does not end with the price of a ticket.
This year’s championship game, played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, has drawn renewed attention to how expensive game day can be for spectators. Ticket prices alone reportedly ranged from roughly $4,000 to $6,000, with some seats selling for significantly more on the secondary market.
Once inside the stadium, fans have encountered similarly high prices for food and beverages. One menu item in particular has stood out online: a premium cheeseburger priced at $180, not including a drink. The burger, which features braised bone-in beef shank, demi-glace, bleu cheese fondue, and a brioche bun, is reportedly being offered in a limited quantity of 200.
Other concessions have also drawn criticism. According to reports, a can of standard beer or hard seltzer costs $17.50, while premium canned beer is priced at $19. Canned wine is listed at $16, and bottled water costs $8.
Cocktails are also priced at a premium. A single mixed drink reportedly costs $19, with doubles priced at $32. A specialty margarita sold during halftime is said to cost $23 for a single and $36 for a double.
The pricing has prompted a wave of reaction on social media, where some fans described the costs as excessive and out of reach for average attendees. Others questioned how such prices align with the league’s broad fan base, many of whom follow the game from home due to cost barriers.
“Absolutely criminal,” one X user wrote. “The majority of football fans can’t afford this.”
“8 DOLLARS FOR WATER!?” wrote another. “F**k that id rather drink the water from the toilet.”
While high concession prices are not new at major sporting events, the Super Bowl’s scale and visibility often amplify scrutiny, especially as the overall cost of attending the game continues to rise year after year.
