Super Bowl LVII – Glendale, AZ – Feb. 12, 2023

Updated Feb. 6, 2023

Super Bowl LVII will take place on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Game time will be at 4:30 p.m. (MST). The following information has been gathered by NBAA Air Traffic Services to assist business aicraft operators planning trips into and out of the Phoenix metropolitan area during the published timeframes.

Due to the high volume of air traffic anticipated during the 2023 Super Bowl LVII activities, a ramp reservation program has been created and is required for arrivals and departures, including drop-and-goes, to and from airports in the Phoenix metropolitan area, from Thursday, Feb. 9, through Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.

Each FBO has been given an allocation of slot times from their respective airport directors, as determined by the FAA’s arrival rates, that they can schedule customers into. (Be aware, these slots will run out quickly after Sunday, Jan. 29). Reservations must be obtained through your FBO of choice at the given airport, or the airport authority where applicable.

Note: Regularly scheduled air carriers and air taxi operations, including flights operating under Title 14, Chapter II, Subchapter D, Part 380, which covers Essential Air Service under the Small Community Air Service Development Program, are exempt from this reservation program. These flights have already been built into the arrival/departure matrix.

Because of parking concerns, drop-and-go reservations are encouraged versus overnight parking to better accommodate all business aircraft flights wanting to attend both events. This requires operators to obtain both an inbound and outbound ramp reservation. Slots are expected to go quickly, and it is likely the primary airports in the area will be arrivals by prior permission required (PPR) only, on and around the weekend of the Super Bowl.

The following airports through their respective FBOs are accepting reservations:

• Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU)
• Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR)
• Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
• Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
• Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD)
• Falcon Field Airport (FFZ)

Review the Runway Safety Plan for Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PDF)

Las Vegas Area Procedures

Due the high volume of traffic expected, and the potential of significant traffic conducting drop-n-go operations in the Phoenix area and staging in Las Vegas, the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) airport will likely restrict its operations to a PPR posture during Super Bowl weekend.

With the subsequent Super Bowl LVIII being planned for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in 2024, the FAA and NFL planning team are considering a parallel ramp reservation program for Las Vegas-area airports during the similar period of time for this year’s event. This will both control the flow of high demand traffic into the Las Vegas region from Phoenix, as well as beta test the area for the 2024 event. Operators should be prepared to acquire ramp reservations into both major markets.

Additional route structure, and arrival/departure procedures, and traffic management initiatives for the Las Vegas metro area are likely. Impacted airports are as follows:

• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• Henderson Executive Airport (HND)
• North Las Vegas Airport (VGT)

Special Air Traffic Procedures

Special air traffic procedures to enhance the efficiency and safety of the anticipated increase in aircraft operations and minimize delays will be in effect at all of the airports listed above. This list is not only inclusive of the primary airports in the reservation system area, but also for outer airports that are expected to absorb a significant portion of the overflow volume this year.

Review the Super Bowl LVII Special Traffic Management Procedures Arrival and Departure Routes.

FAA Initiatives

Air traffic volumes and demand will likely challenge ATC’s ability to deliver air traffic to the Phoenix Valley. Crews should anticipate air traffic management initiatives throughout the week. Heavy demand and traffic management initiatives are possible from Wednesday, Feb. 8, through Monday, Feb. 13. Chances for initiatives increase if poor weather conditions are encountered.

Crews can lower opportunities for possible delays and initiatives by scheduling around these time periods if flexible. FAA initiatives could include the following:

• Ground Delay Programs (GDP)
• Airspace Flow Programs (AFP)
• Time Based Metering
• Miles in Trail
• Airborne Holding
• Ground Stops

Review the FAA ATS SysOps Super Bowl LVII Planning Packet (PDF)

Required Route Structures for Arrivals and Departures

IFR aircraft arriving and departing the Phoenix area should file and expect to be routed in accordance with the FAA’s domestic notice. Arrival routes for turbojet aircraft will be implemented and enforced from 10 a.m. local time (17z) on Friday, Feb. 10 through 4:30 p.m. (2330z) Sunday, Feb. 12. Departure routes for turbojet aircraft will be implemented and enforced from 5 p.m. (00z/11) on Sunday, Feb. 12 through 11 p.m. (06z/14) on Monday, Feb. 13.

View the FAAʼs Safety Plan for Super Bowl LVII.

Special Event TFR Expected on Game Day

A special event TFR will be published via NOTAM three to five days prior to the Super Bowl, which will outline the specific impacts associated with the temporary flight restriction (TFR). NBAA’s VIP TFR NOTAM Impact page, available to members, includes information and accompanying graphics to further help to break down NOTAMs. The Super Bowl TFR will prohibit general aviation operations within a 10-mile radius from the stadium from approximately two to three hours before kickoff through at least one hour after the game ends, with additional restrictions and instructions from 10-30 NM.

Review the FAA’s Temporary Flight Restrictions Presentation for Super Bowl LVII
Review the FAA’s Super Bowl LVII Flight Advisory

During the period of air traffic control tower overnight closures, pilots are encouraged to cancel their IFR flight plans as soon as practicable, either airborne or immediately upon arrival, in order to accommodate other IFR departure/arrival traffic. With the increase in overnight demand likely, this will help ensure as many operations can be conducted in the periods outside of the primetime arrival/departure slots.