Super Bowl Central to Shut Down 9 Blocks of Downtown Phoenix

One of the most time-honored traditions of the Super Bowl is that it renders the nearest metropolitan hub a circus for the week leading up to kickoff. 

This year is no exception, with the city of Phoenix, Arizona, cordoning off nine blocks of the downtown area and briefly suspending open-container laws in the run-up to Super Bowl XLIX.

The Arizona Republic’s Dustin Gardiner and Beth Duckett report that an “open campus” will be in effect in specifically marked sectors of downtown Phoenix. Within this area is Verizon Super Bowl Central, a widespread street fair of sorts with food, entertainment and activities for visiting football fans.

Gardiner and Duckett report that over one million fans will make their way through Super Bowl Central between its opening Wednesday and its close Sunday night.

Festivities will include interactive games, a nightly fireworks display and a 100-foot climbing wall called the “Grand Canyon Experience.” Beer and climbing for everyone! 

Downtown Phoenix Partnership vice president Terry Madeksza told The Republic that the city of Phoenix is looking to make revelers feel at home: “Our reasoning for doing this is to create a true festival-like experience for people coming downtown. We want to see our bars and restaurants thriving and bustling with activity."

Naturally, this “festival” will be closely monitored, with stringent carding and wrist-banding of adults looking to buy alcohol. Over 400 police, security guards and volunteers will reportedly be overseeing the scene at Super Bowl Central. 

So be on your best behavior, sports fans, and restrain your primal urges to pet when you see the inevitable horse police patrolling downtown.

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