Real-Time Coverage Briefing

February 9 • Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Super Bowl LIX

Update 2/7: President Trump has confirmed his attendance at the game. Due to extensive security measures already in place, there are no changes to the below assessments; however, spontaneous disruptions to accommodate the president's motorcade are likely.
It is also possible that Trump's attendance could prompt protesting in or around the venue. However, analysts have not detected any significant events; therefore, the risk remains Low to Negligible.

Background

On February 9, the Caesars Superdome will host Super Bowl LIX (59) in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Kansas City Chiefs will be playing against the Philadelphia Eagles. Approximately 75,000 fans are expected to attend and New Orleans is expected to see around 125,000 tourists during the Super Bowl period.


Security for Super Bowl LIX is comprehensive, including road closures, increased law enforcement presence, strict security protocols, and a Department of Homeland Security Special Events Assessment Rating (SEAR) level 1 designation. Following the New Orleans terrorist attack on New Year’s Day, security has also been increased to ensure public safety.


Samdesk's analysts have produced the following assessments for potential threats and an overview of the planned security measures.


Terrorist attacks: Medium

Cybersecurity attacks: Medium to Low

Protests: Low to Negligible

See the below analysis for more detail.

Analysis

Protesting

The threat of disruptive or violent protests at the Super Bowl event is considered Negligible. Previous protests at the Super Bowl have proved non-disruptive to the event or to public safety.

In 2023 and 2024, a protest group demonstrated outside of the Super Bowl games to draw awareness to what they believe is cultural appropriation by the Kansas City Chiefs. As the Chiefs have advanced to Super Bowl LIX it is probable this, or a similar group, will protest but with minimal disruption and risk to the public.

Riots and looting

Riots in the host city, or at the Caesars Superdome venue are unlikely, due to a significantly heightened law enforcement presence. However, rioting is more likely to occur in the home cities of the playing teams. As such, there is an increased threat of rioting in Kansas City and Philadelphia.

  • In 2018, Philadelphia Eagle Fans rioted in Philadelphia after the Eagles beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in Minneapolis.

  • In 2022, Los Angeles Rams fans caused property damage in Los Angeles after the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Los Angeles.

  • In 2023, there were isolated instances of vandalism and clashes with police in Philadelphia after the Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Phoenix; however, it was reported that the gatherings were largely peaceful.

Whilst rioting and looting is unlikely, it is likely that fans may engage in other disruptive, anti-social or disorderly behavior after the games as part of nighttime economy across major cities in the US.

Riots in the host city, or at the Caesars Superdome venue are unlikely, due to a significantly heightened law enforcement presence. However, rioting is more likely to occur in the home cities of the playing teams. As such, there is an increased threat of rioting in Kansas City and Philadelphia.

  • In 2018, Philadelphia Eagle Fans rioted in Philadelphia after the Eagles beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in Minneapolis.

  • In 2022, Los Angeles Rams fans caused property damage in Los Angeles after the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Los Angeles.

  • In 2023, there were isolated instances of vandalism and clashes with police in Philadelphia after the Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Phoenix; however, it was reported that the gatherings were largely peaceful.

Whilst rioting and looting is unlikely, it is likely that fans may engage in other disruptive, anti-social or disorderly behavior after the games as part of nighttime economy across major cities in the US.

Terrorism

The threat level for terrorist attacks targeting the Super Bowl LIX has been assessed as medium. The Counter Threat Center has identified apolitical events, such as sports events, as likely targets for terrorism, making this year’s Super Bowl a high-risk event. 


On January 1, an Islamic State-inspired attacker conducted a fatal vehicle ramming attack targeting a crowd during New Year celebrations on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing 14 and injuring dozens more. The attacker was shot and killed by police. Firearms and a potential IED were located in the assailant’s vehicle and further possible IEDs were also found in the French Quarter. The Allstate Sugar Bowl was postponed by one day in response to the attack.


The FBI and DHS have identified that copycat or retaliatory attacks following the January 1 vehicle ramming attack in New Orleans are possible, with traditional methodologies of attacks most likely e.g. vehicle rammings, gunfire into crowds and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) carried out by small cells or lone actors. In February 2017, an Arizona resident was sentenced for planning an IED attack at the Arizona Stadium during the Super Bowl, along with malls and military bases.


In response to the January 1 attack, the security posture in New Orleans has been significantly increased, with a level of security equivalent to Super Bowl XXVI, the first Super Bowl following the 9/11 attacks. The New Orleans Governor has also issued a state of emergency in Orleans Parish following the attack, allowing for the appropriate utilization of state resources ahead of the Super Bowl. This enactment ensures resource provision to keep "every person that visits or lives in this state safe." 


The NFL has been working with the local host committee alongside local, state, and federal agencies to facilitate a comprehensive security plan for the past two years. Based on previous Super Bowl security plans for New Orleans, there will likely be a security perimeter that will extend beyond the stadium itself with an “inner and outer perimeter” established to “sterilize the area.” New Orleans Police states that the strategy for Super Bowl policing is based on the foundations of the security plan employed during the Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans in October 2024. In addition to increased law enforcement and security procedures, additional steel security barriers have been installed in the French Quarter, the Convention Center, and the Superdome just one block away from Bourbon Street in both directions.


Other planned security measures include local airspace closures and screening mechanisms at entries to the Caesars Superdome. The Caesars Superdome will be swept using physical and canine searches on the night of Feb 1. From that period all individuals and vehicles entering the perimeter will go through an X-ray exam before entering the venue. A “Clear Bag Policy” will also be implemented from opening night, Feb 3, to Super Bowl Sunday, Feb 9. This policy states that bags must be clear and not exceed 12" x 6" and will be "carefully inspected" to ensure safety.

Cybersecurity Threats

The risk of a cyberattack successfully targeting the Super Bowl game is medium to low. Cyberattack methodologies may include ransomware, distributed denial of service (DDoS), insider threats, fraudulent betting apps, phishing, credential theft, and data breaches. Attackers may target event IT infrastructure, critical business services, official social media accounts of the NFL and associated coaches and players, third-party vendors, and fans' devices.  


Politically motivated state actors, hacktivists, and opportunistic cybercrime groups are the most likely to conduct cyberattacks targeting the Super Bowl, per a Microsoft Threat Intelligence State of Play report. Large sporting events typically rely on multiple systems to function, including online ticket sales, streaming services, and sponsor websites. The NFL has used a variety of technologies to digitize most aspects of the Super Bowl, some of which include digital ticketing, using RFID tags in players' shoulder pads to collect important data, and implementing 5G stadium connectivity and apps to provide fans with live updates. The reliance on technology leaves the Super Bowl vulnerable to cyber attacks and makes it an attractive target for exploitation by various threat actors.


Threat actors may use both cyber and physical attacks to maximize impact during the Super Bowl. The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the NFL suggests an example of such an attack may be a swatting call to prompt a stampede. Additionally, local authorities and emergency services, 5G stadium connectivity, and public infrastructure for the event all rely on API technologies for operations to function. Attackers may attempt to exploit these technologies to disrupt the event.  


DDoS attacks have the potential to be the most disruptive to the event, and would also “generate the most publicity for the attackers.” Such attacks may disrupt broadcasting and streaming services, ultimately preventing viewers at home from watching the event. 


Maldonado has also indicated there is a growing risk of phishing attacks enabled by generative artificial intelligence as well as deepfake video scams. Such tools allow threat actors to draft more convincing messages, thereby increasing their expectancy of success. 

Legitimate betting apps containing secure payment information are also attractive targets for account takeovers and phishing attacks. 


Opportunistic cybercriminals posing as insiders have created fraudulent sports betting apps to encourage users to place “guaranteed bets on upcoming games," per the Better Business Bureau. A 2024 threat assessment by DarkOwl indicated that third-party vendors such as betting apps and payment transfer companies may also be vulnerable to the installation of ransomware and other malware, and successful threat actors have been able to either steal funds or sell confidential data on Telegram.  


In February 2022, BlackByte conducted a ransomware attack targeting the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. The attack also affected 21,000 employees and fans. BlackByte was able to gain access to confidential information such as Social Security numbers and the team’s business documents. Moreover, in January 2020, Saudi-Arabian-based hacking group OurMine hacked into the NFL and 15 teams’ social media accounts, including X, Facebook, and Instagram. The hack took place days before the Super Bowl.  


CISA partners with the NFL and other agencies to conduct yearly tabletop exercises to prepare for cyberattacks, including phishing, ransomware, data breaches, and internal threats. Whilst the capability of threat actors is high, their expectancy of success is low due to the authorities’ high levels of cyber resilience.

Interactive Map

Interactive Map

Stream Suggestions

Stream Suggestions

Topics

Top Headlines

Emergency and Safety

Geopolitics

Infrastructure

Cybersecurity

Locations

New Orleans, Louisiana

Kansas City, Missouri

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Keywords (Optional)

Active Shooter

Shooting

Stabbing

Vehicle Ramming

Public Disruption

Public Safety Incident

Looting

Bomb Scare

Suspicious Package

Evacuation

Explosion

Explosion

Phishing

Cybersecurity Threat

DDoS

Malware

Network Outage

Social Media Hashtags

Social Media Hashtags

#SuperBowl

#NOLA

#SuperBowlLIX

#SBLIX

#SuperBowl2025

#SB59

#Superdome

PDF Version

PDF Version

What we mean when we say:

Resources

Emergency Assistance

Police/Fire/Ambulance: 911
Non-Emergency police/File a Police Report: (504) 821-2222
Non-emergency, quality of life: 311
Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225-925-7500
FBI New Orleans: (504) 816-3000
Louisiana State Police Troop B – New Orleans - (504) 471-2775
Louisiana State Police Suspicious Activity hotline: 1-800-434-8007
Text NOLAREADY to 77295 for alerts

If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your Customer Success representative directly or email support@samdesk.io