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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Preparations are underway at MetLife Stadium for Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks.
It's a Super Bowl so big, the celebrations stretch over two states. New York City rolled out the red carpet in the form of Super Bowl Boulevard, a 13-block stretch of Times Square dedicated to all things football.
Even government officials have found the time to get in on the fun.
"We are so proud the NFL game is here,” said Bill Deblasio, mayor of New York City. “It’s having amazing impact on New York, and people are loving it, really loving it."
The city is home to one of the priciest tailgate parties ever. Watching the game at the Old Homestead Steakhouse costs $150,000 and includes Kobe steaks and top shelf alcohol for you and 20 of your closest friends.
In New Jersey, MetLife Stadium awaits the arrival of 80,000 screaming fans as final security preps are wrapped up.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a fleet of aircraft ready to patrol the no-fly zone above the stadium.
"Our primary job is (to) intercept that aircraft to determine if they're friend or foe," said pilot David Ray.
On the ground, fans will go through what's being described as a "soft security screening," similar to the process at the airport. Women, leave your purses at home; nothing larger than a clutch is allowed through the gates, and that includes fanny packs.
Ticket holders are being asked to report any suspicious behavior to stadium security — and an extra 80,000 pair of eyes looking for potential threats.
For those who want to go to the game, tickets are still available. However, now that the weather forecast is looking good, those tickets are jumping in price as much as 50 percent.
