12 things locals need to know about the Super Bowl coming to Las Vegas

When Super Bowl LVIII touches down at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, it will mark the first time Las Vegas and the state of Nevada host the big game.

Yet even with a month to go, the National Football League (NFL) is already making its mark locally. Not only has the Las Vegas community benefited from NFL initiatives, but based on previous Super Bowls, the city and state are estimated to see an economic impact of more than $500 million over the next couple of years.

Whether you have your tickets, still need to buy them or plan to watch from home on CBS, you may be surprised to find out about the many ways the Super Bowl may impact your life. From living in a greener community to winning free tickets, here are 12 things to know about the Super Bowl coming to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is getting greener thanks to the NFL

The NFL is helping to improve the Clark County environment by planting trees throughout the community. These drought-tolerant trees provide shade, increase the city’s tree canopy and help to reduce carbon. 

In October, volunteers from Verizon, the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee, Henderson Parks and the community planted 58 trees at the Arroyo Grande Sports Complex. In December, the NFL, Verizon and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians planted trees at Silver Mesa Senior Center and Recreation Center in North Las Vegas. 

By the time the Super Bowl is played next month, the NFL will have participated in more than a dozen greening initiatives throughout Clark County.

The NFL is investing in community non-profits

The NFL has committed to investing $3 million between now and Super Bowl LVIII to help improve the lives of Southern Nevadans. 

Nearly 60 pregame and game day grants in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion; education; health and wellness; social justice; and youth and young adults will be awarded through the NFL’s Super Bowl Legacy Grant program. 

Recipients of pregame grants include Communities in Schools of Nevada, Cultural Diversity Foundation, Green Our Planet, Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, HELP of Southern Nevada, Latin Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, SafeNest, Three Square and many more. 

Game Day recipients will be announced during the week of Super Bowl LVIII.

And sharing with kids in need

Local K-12 schools, recreation centers and YMCAs in Clark County have teamed up with the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee to put books, sports equipment, school supplies and games in the hands of local students in need.

As part of the Super Kids-Super Sharing initiative, local students will gather at the William U. Pearson Community Center on Thursday, Jan. 25 to drop off and help sort items they have collected. They will also enjoy interactive play activities provided by the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Donated items will be shared locally with registered schools and organizations that work with children in underserved communities.

Lane restrictions are coming to the Las Vegas Strip

As the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently reported, a portion of the Fountains of Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip will become a television set, starting this week. More than 100 hours of Super Bowl coverage will be broadcast from the set on CBS and affiliate networks.

Expect to encounter sidewalk closures and lane restrictions on the Las Vegas Strip through Feb. 16.

The NFL is surprising some of its biggest fans with free tickets

The NFL and Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee have been honoring locals by giving away tickets to the Big Game. So far, tickets have been awarded to some of the NFL’s biggest and most dedicated local fans, including high school student Luis Ortiz, cancer patient Benji Sanchez, community conservation hero Alan O’Neill and U.S. Airforce veteran Joseph O’Neil. 

Since the beginning the NFL’s ticket giveaway program seven years ago, thousands of fans have been gifted with tickets to the Super Bowl.

You can win tickets by giving blood

In honor of National Blood Donor Month (January), the American Red Cross and the NFL will award one fan and a guest with a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII and all you have to do to be entered to win is give blood by Jan. 31

The winner and guest will get access to pre-game activities and the Big Game, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 9-12), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses.

According to Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning: “If everyone does their part together and we collectively as a community commit to donating blood, we also can stack up more wins. One person alone is certainly impactful, but a whole team of people coming together to donate has an even greater effect.”

For more information and to schedule your donation, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

You can also win tickets while helping local charities

The Vegas Sports Jackpot gives you a chance to win a pair of tickets to Super Bowl LVIII along with additional sporting events like every Las Vegas Aviators home game, 22 Vegas Golden Knights home games, and more. 

Every $100 entry into the jackpot benefits United Way of Southern Nevada and Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee charities.

For more information, visit vegassportsjackpot.com.

There’s an app for the Super Bowl (and another chance to win free tickets)

Fans can access all Super Bowl LVIII event information and participate in interactive games on site with their go-to guide for gameday, the NFL OnePass. 

Fans who download and register for the NFL OnePass app will also be entered for a chance to win a pair of tickets to Super Bowl LVIII.

To download the app, visit nfl.com/onepass.

Tickets are available for Super Bowl Opening Night

Fans can enjoy a preview of Super Bowl LVIII as players and coaches make their first public appearance at Super Bowl Opening Night from 3 to 8 p.m. Feb. 5 at Allegiant Stadium.

The event, sponsored by Gatorade, will include family-friendly activities, photo opportunities, live entertainment, special appearances, exclusive merchandise and autographs from NFL players.

Tickets are $30. For more information, visit SuperBowl.com.

Music and sports will unite at the 25th Annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration

The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration will unite the sports community through music at The Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Feb. 7.  

Established in 1999, the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration (formerly Super Bowl Gospel Celebration) is the exclusive NFL-sanctioned multicultural program, intended to bridge cultures and ignite inspiration.

Tickets start at $75. For more information, visit www.superbowlsoulful.com.

Families are welcome at the Super Bowl Experience

Super Bowl Experience, the NFL’s interactive football theme park, will run Feb. 7 through 10 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. 

This family-friendly event is an opportunity to collect autographs, shop for merchandise and participate in interactive games, youth football clinics and photo opportunities with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. There will also be a 40-yard dash against NFL players on LED screens and a Super Bowl display showcasing all 57 Super Bowl rings.

The Super Bowl Experience will include a Sensory Hour with a modified environment to accommodate those with various ability needs and sensory sensitivities on Feb. 8.

Tickets start at $25. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information, visit www.nfl.com.

Allegiant Stadium will be a Super Bowl security fortress

Fans can expect heightened security at Allegiant Stadium during Super Bowl LVIII. The size and type of bags that may be brought into the stadium will be limited and all items carried by fans will be inspected and potentially prohibited.

Items that will be prohibited include alcohol, animals, banners and signs, battery-operated clothing, illegal substances and many more. Small cameras and binoculars will be allowed as will items purchased after passing through security on gameday.

A fan code of conduct will be in place that prohibits unruly, disruptive or illegal behavior, as well as other behaviors. Those who violate the code of conduct may be barred from the game.

Additionally, Allegiant Stadium will be transformed and fan access for Super Bowl LVIII will not be the same as regular season Raiders games when it comes to parking and entry.

For more information and a full list of prohibited items and behaviors, visit nfl.com or SuperBowl.com/EventInfo.