Over the years, the Super Bowl has been placed all over the United States. Traditionally, the game has changed cities each year, although once that was not the case (Super Bowls II and III were both in the Orange Bowl). Until last year, the Super Bowl was always in a dome or a warm-weather city, but East Rutherford, N.J. changed all that.
Super Bowl XLIX will be in both a dome and a hot climate, going indoors at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Arizona hosted the Super Bowl before the new stadium was built, once staging the contest at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe.
So does Tempe, or Glendale, make the top five Super Bowl venues?
5. Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
The building once known as Jack Murphy Stadium is nothing spectacular to the eye. It’s a concrete bowl from a bygone era of dual-purpose stadiums. However, the venue has always been home to typically beautiful San Diego weather alone with some memorable contests. John Elway won his first Super Bowl here, and Doug Williams became the first black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, for starters.
4. Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Superdome is a classic building in a fantastic city. New Orleans oozes party vibes, always welcoming a hoard of visitors. New Orleans hosted three Super Bowls in ancient Tulane Stadium before the Superdome held Super Bowl XII between the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. With the Superdome, it is about history but also the city which holds it. Every time the NFL puts the show in New Orleans, there is never a disappointment … unless the lights go out.
3. L.A. Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
The Los Angeles Coliseum has not held a Super Bowl since Jan. 1973, but the stadium’s historical significance to the game cannot go unmentioned. The Coliseum held the first Super Bowl and then in 1973, saw the Miami Dolphins complete their perfect season against the Washington Redskins with a 14-7 victory. The venue also has an iconic look and enjoys perfect weather, making for a classic.
2. Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
Miami is tied with New Orleans for the city which has hosted the most Super Bowls with 10. The Orange Bowl was home to five of them, spanning from Super Bowl II to Super Bowl XIII. The building is famous for a cavalcade of major sporting events from pro to college, although none bigger than Super Bowl III. In that game, the New York Jets of the American Football League trumped the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts, 16-7. No contest has ever done more for professional football.
1. Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
The Rose Bowl is the most beautiful athletic setting in the world. Between the breathtaking background and the sunlight basking the stadium at dusk, it is quite the scene. The venue has been home to five Super Bowls, most recently Super Bowl XXVII in Jan. 1993 for the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. It is truly a shame the Super Bowl has not returned to Pasadena. Any game there has a feel unlike any other.
