NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — By the time Super Bowl LIII wraps up this week I’m Atlanta, the NFL will already be moving on to its next mega event. The NFL Draft takes place in Nashville April 25-27th.
But as Music City gets set to host the league’s second biggest event, many are asking the question: could Nashville one day host the Super Bowl?
“We are certainly a city that could dynamically host the Super Bowl,” said Scott Ramsey, President of the Nashville Sports Council.
Having successfully hosted the NHL All-Star game, massive watch parties around the Stanley Cup Final, bowl games and basketball tournaments, Nashville has positioned itself as an ideal host city because of its unique entertainment and hospitality district downtown.
The announcement of the NFL Draft came at about the same time the city was named a semifinal site for this Summer’s Gold Cup and as a finalist for the 2026 World Cup.
“We have shown our value, our worth and our capabilities on the grandest of stages,” said Butch Spyridon, COO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation. “All is that says we’ve arrived.”
The city has more than enough hotels and restaurants to support the million or so visitors that travel to Super Bowl sites and a music scene that is unmatched.
But the biggest piece to landing a Super Bowl a Super Bowl is the game venue itself. With Nissan Stadium now 20 years old and lacking a roof to shield it from the elements, it begs a new question.
Is Nashville ready to build a new stadium?
“To my knowledge there’s been nothing specific or serious (involving talks,” Spyridon said. “But it’s certainly on everybody’s mind.”
Ramsey thinks those thoughts could turn to action in the next four to five years.
“I’m excited about that conversation,” Ramsey said. “I think it will open up some doors for us as a city that we haven’t had the chance to walk through.”
Nashville has proven itself as a progressive city when it comes to building things to attract businesses and events. But a new stadium will cost more than a billion dollars and many critics will ask if that price tag is worth it?
Atlanta taxpayers forked over about half of the $1.6 billion dollar price tag for Mercedes-Benz Stadium to lure Super Bowl LIII to town.
But the impact of building a facility capable of hosting a Super Bowl goes far beyond the $500 million projected revenue from the event itself.
“When you look at what sports has meant to our city, I think it’s certainly been a huge part of the growth,” Ramsey said. “When you look at the arena and the stadium over the last 20 years the growth of downtown has really kind of fit hand and glove with those two facilities.”
The NFL has proven if you build it, they will come. The league has given Super Bowls to new stadiums in Arizona, Dallas, Indianapolis, New York and now Atlanta.
Breaking ground on a new stadium may be all that’s left for Nashville to attract the big game.
“What does Nashville want to do? I think we’re in a really good place where we can decide our own future,” Spyridon said.
Right now hosting a Super Bowl is just a dream for Nashville that sports fans hope one day will be a reality.
“There’s no other city that can match the excitement we have downtown,” Ramsey said. “I certainly think we could host it as dynamically and successfully as any they’ve ever had.”
