The excitement surrounding the Super Bowl is palpable every year, but the rising costs associated with attending the event or celebrating it at home have become a significant concern. Let’s delve deeper into how inflation has impacted the Super Bowl experience in 2024.

Soaring Ticket Prices

Attending the Super Bowl in person has always been a dream for many football fans, but the cost barrier has become increasingly prohibitive. For Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, ticket prices have reached staggering heights. Stubhub reports a range of ticket prices from $5,300 to an eye-watering $107,000, with the average price paid around $9,500. This marks a staggering 93 percent increase in ticket prices compared to the previous year’s Super Bowl. Over the past decade, ticket prices have soared by 300 percent, making it increasingly unaffordable for the average fan to experience the game live.

Exorbitant Lodging Costs

The expenses don’t end with ticket prices. Lodging costs in Las Vegas have also experienced a significant surge, especially during Super Bowl weekend. Five-star hotels like the Bellagio, Aria, and The Venetian are charging upwards of $1,500 per night for accommodations during the event, according to Expedia. Even more affordable options, such as the Excalibur on the Las Vegas Strip, see their average nightly rates skyrocket to $486 during Super Bowl weekend—a staggering increase of 426 percent compared to regular rates. Downtown hotels offer slightly cheaper alternatives, but prices are still considerably higher than usual, with some charging around $200 per night on Fremont Street. Circa, known for its popular sportsbook, is an exception, with rooms priced at $179 per night but surging to $1,232 per night for Super Bowl weekend.

Rising Travel Expenses

For those traveling to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl, the costs don’t stop at tickets and lodging. Whether driving or flying, transportation expenses have also seen a notable increase. Gasoline prices, while down from mid-2022 spikes, remain high at $3.66 per gallon, making road trips more expensive. Airfare into and out of Las Vegas has also surged in price due to high demand around the big game. While some carriers have increased capacity to accommodate more passengers, air travel remains a costly endeavor for Super Bowl attendees.

Impact on Home Celebrations

While the majority of Super Bowl viewers watch the game from home or local establishments, hosting or attending a Super Bowl party has also become more expensive due to inflation. What was once a casual gathering with affordable snacks and beverages has now become a costly affair. The prices of popular Super Bowl snacks like chicken wings, guacamole, potato skins, and deviled eggs have surged, reflecting broader inflationary trends in food prices. Additionally, staples like pizza, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks have also experienced creeping price increases.

Food Price Trends

Examining the recent price trends of food items commonly consumed during Super Bowl parties provides insight into the impact of inflation on household budgets. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for items such as avocados have risen significantly over the past few years. Avocado prices, for instance, have increased by 27.2 percent from December 2019 to December 2023, with a further 11.1 percent increase from December 2022 to December 2023. Similarly, the average price of a delivery pizza has risen by 2.9 percent from February 2023 to February 2024, adding to the financial burden of hosting a Super Bowl party at home.

Hidden Costs of Inflation

While headline inflation figures may not fully capture the extent of price increases, individual price changes underscore the severity of inflation’s impact on consumers. The rising costs associated with the Super Bowl highlight how inflation erodes purchasing power and stretches household budgets. Despite efforts to downplay inflation through various economic policies, the reality is that consumers are feeling the pinch, whether attending the Super Bowl in person or celebrating at home.

Conclusion

Inflation has fundamentally altered the landscape of Super Bowl celebrations, making it increasingly expensive for fans to participate in the festivities. From soaring ticket prices and exorbitant lodging costs to rising expenses for hosting a Super Bowl party at home, the financial burden of inflation is palpable. As consumers grapple with higher prices and reduced purchasing power, the need for effective measures to address inflation becomes more pressing than ever.