The Economic Impact of the Super Bowl
- Peyton Widen
- Feb 10
- 2 min read
Every single year the Super Bowl is more than just a football game; it is also one of the biggest economic events of the year. This stems from all the consumer spending that goes into social gatherings for the games, high amounts that businesses put into advertisements, and more. We also see a large drop in work productivity the following Monday across the country. The super bowl extends far beyond just sports. It affects culture, business strategy, and even the way Americans start their workweek.
In just the last 3 years, Super Bowl-related spending has surged in early February and held steady through Super Bowl Sunday. Notable spending growth in categories such as TV (33%), grocery (9%), and team merchandise (300%-1,200% ).This surge doesn’t just come out of nowhere. It comes from the whole experience that goes along with the Super bowl. Whether people are hosting parties, buying last‑minute snacks, or going out to restaurants and entertainment venues, the Super Bowl has become a nationwide spending catalyst.
The spending doesn’t just come from the consumer; millions of dollars are spent on just advertisements. One 30 second ad costs an average of $8 million, with some reaching over $10 million just for the time slot. This doesn't include the budget companies use to make the commercial itself. While a single ad is a large investment, the massive buzz, social media engagement, and long‑term brand awareness could easily pay off in the long term if the ad was effective. While the cost continues to rise each year, companies still compete fiercely for these ad slots because no other yearly event delivers the same combination of reach, attention, and cultural impact that the super bowl does.
The economic impact doesn’t end when the game is done. Monday after the Super Bowl is notorious for low productivity and a high percentage of no shows. Around 26.2 million employees may miss work the day after the Super Bowl due to them calling in “sick”, taking PTO, or showing up exhausted after late‑night celebrations. All the absences across the country could potentially cost businesses a combined loss of more than $5 billion in lost productivity. Some companies have even suggested making Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday because the cultural significance of the event outweighs the expectation of a normal workday.
The Super Bowl’s economic impact will continue to grow as viewership increases every year. It drives so much spending from both consumers and businesses. The game continues to grow, and so does the cultural impact of the Super Bowl. If the Super Bowl continues to capture the world's attention, its financial impact will remain just as powerful as the game itself.
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