As the 2023 Super Bowl approaches, the Phoenix area is buzzing with excitement, hosting a variety of events and attracting big-name celebrities, musical acts, and brands. The intersection of NFL and pop culture is more evident than ever, with celebrity fans making a significant impact on the game and its surrounding festivities.
Star-Studded Super Bowl Events
Events catering to a range of budgets are happening all across town, with NFL legend Rob Gronkowski hosting a beach party and NBA star Shaquille O’Neal acting as the ringmaster of a carnival-slash-music festival. WWE stars Nikki and Brie Bella will mingle with fans, while the Chainsmokers, Diplo, Zedd, Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon, and Machine Gun Kelly will hype people up during the big game weekend. An NFL“interactive football theme park” is also coming to the Phoenix Convention Center, further blending sports and pop culture.
Art and Culture Meet Football
Glendale will host a day with more than 70 art experiences, including an artisan marketplace, live painting, interactive murals, food trucks, a beer garden, cultural performances, a chalk art zone, and inflatable art. Old Town Scottsdale will take over in the days leading up to the Super Bowl with a “five-day Old West-style football pregame party” on Main Street between Scottsdale Road and Brown Avenue. The Hot Chick and Boondocks in Old Town Scottsdale are hosting a five-day block party with headliner T-Pain performing on Friday, Feb. 10.
NFL Fan of the Year Contest
Captain Morgan is the presenting sponsor of the NFL Fan of the Year Contest, which honors fans who spice up the game through their love and passion for their teams. For the first time ever, NFL superfans will be immortalized by larger-than-life statues. All 32 nominees will appear in a high-impact cover peel ad execution and the custom spread creative in the February issue of Sports Illustrated. Captain Morgan will travel across the country unveiling its NFL Fan of the Year statues for a special group of nominees during a game day
celebration.
Celebrating NFL Superfans
Former NFL legends, like Super Bowl XLVI champion Victor Cruz, will be present at the tailgate celebration. The first-ever fan statue unveils will celebrate the following NFL Fan of the Year nominees: Susan Haluzan, James Wright, Enrique Carranco Garcia, Gus“Chris” Obregon, Jeff Bloom, and Michael Wayne Torto. Captain Morgan will help further cement the celebrity status of this year’s NFL Fan of the Year nominees when they grace a special-edition Sports Illustrated cover peel unit on the front of the famous sports magazine.
