New Bombshell Report Exposes How The NFL Gets “Everything For Free” While Paying “Zero Taxes” And Taking 100 Percent Of Ticket Sales For Every Super Bowl
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Super Bowl looks like a big party on TV. But behind the scenes, it is serious business. The NFL sets strict rules, and host cities must follow them.
Last year, 127.7 million people watched the game. NBC expects to earn over $700 million from ads this year. Luxury suites can cost more than $1 million. Private jets fill nearby airports. Fans usually only see this flashy side.
What most people do not see is how many demands the NFL makes. The league created a 154-page document that lists strict requirements for host cities. It shows how much control the NFL has over almost every part of Super Bowl week.
What The NFL Requires
The NFL takes full control of the stadium for 54 days. It uses the venue for 30 days before the game and 24 days after. The league does not pay rent during that time.
Host cities must provide a large stadium with at least 70,000 seats. Cold-weather cities need a dome. If the NFL allows an outdoor stadium, the city must install expensive field heating.
The NFL keeps all ticket revenue. The two teams each receive 17.5 percent of the tickets. The host team gets 5 percent. The other teams share 34.8 percent. The NFL keeps the remaining 25.2 percent.
I read the NFL’s entire 154-page Super Bowl bid document (and the details are wild).
The NFL gets almost everything for free — the stadium, hotel rooms, billboards, security, luxury suites — while keeping 100% of ticket sales and paying ZERO taxes.
READ: https://t.co/b37mmpzxn3 pic.twitter.com/5yKEyxc5hr
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 4, 2026
Cities must also provide extra benefits. They need to offer three top golf courses and two quality bowling alleys for free charity events. The city must also pay for a planning trip that brings 180 NFL staff members 16 months before the game.
Inside the stadium, the NFL controls everything. It can remove ATM machines and change food and drinks to match league sponsors. For example, stadiums may need to switch brands to Pepsi and Bud Light.
Host cities must also remove certain taxes on tickets, parking, merchandise, and NFL events.
The NFL controls luxury suites too. The league takes at least half of them, including the best locations. Some suites go to the teams, broadcast partners, and Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Cities still compete to host the Super Bowl because it brings tourism and worldwide attention. But the process shows the NFL controls the rules and keeps most of the profits. Now, all eyes are on Sunday as the Seahawks face the Patriots.
