October 19, 1997

XXXVII TO SAN FRAN

At last week's league meeting in Washington, DC, Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003 was awarded to San Francisco at the new stadium planned at Candlestick Point.

San Francisco originally was awarded Super Bowl XXXIII, but deferred that game when a decision was made to build a new stadium rather than renovate 3Com Park.

Thursday's (October 16) San Francisco Chronicle, John Marks, president of the San Francisco Convention and Visitor's Bureau, explained the impact the Super Bowl brings to its host city:

"There is no single piece of business in the travel and tourism industry that has more impact than the Super Bowl," said Marks, "The reason for that is the vast majority of the tickets go to folks from outside the Bay Area. Ticket distribution ensures an audience who are for the most part visitors…Even for our residents who can't attend the game itself, there will be so many events. Everyone will get caught up in it -- the NFL Experience, a million square feet of excitement, players, memorabilia, interactive and simulated activities for kids. They'll be able to discover what it's like to be on a field with 100,000 spectators. It's quite an amazing environment. Not to mention the concerts and entertainment venues. San Francisco will take on a very festive atmosphere for the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl."

Future Super Bowls: