Verizon announces first-ever “Super Bowl FanFest” bringing a Super Bowl LIX experience to 30 NFL cities across the country
Rhea-AI Summary
Verizon (VZ) has announced its first-ever 'Super Bowl FanFest', a nationwide celebration across 30 NFL markets on Super Bowl LIX Sunday. Verizon customers and their guests will enjoy free access to stadium experiences, including on-field activities at iconic venues like MetLife and SoFi Stadium.
The event features meet-and-greets with NFL legends such as Tiki Barber and Emmanuel Sanders, local entertainment including team cheerleaders and live bands, interactive family activities, and food from local chefs. The FanFests will take place on February 9, starting at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.
As the Official 5G Network of the NFL, Verizon will also host additional events in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. The company, which generated revenues of $134.0 billion in 2023, continues to leverage its sponsorships and partnerships to provide exclusive experiences for customers.
Positive
- Revenue of $134.0 billion reported for 2023
- Leveraging NFL partnership to enhance customer engagement and brand value
- Expanding customer benefits through exclusive access to major sporting events
Negative
- None.
Insights
This nationwide FanFest initiative represents a sophisticated customer retention and brand enhancement strategy. While the event itself is a marketing expense, the potential ROI extends beyond immediate financial metrics. The program leverages Verizon's existing NFL partnership and infrastructure to create differentiated value for its customer base, potentially reducing churn in a highly competitive telecom market.
The multi-city approach maximizes reach while distributing costs across markets, utilizing existing stadium partnerships and local business relationships to create economies of scale. By incorporating local businesses and talent, Verizon creates a community goodwill multiplier effect while minimizing direct costs through partner participation.
However, this type of large-scale promotional event typically has minimal direct impact on revenue or subscriber growth. The timing, coinciding with Super Bowl LIX, suggests this is more about brand positioning and customer experience than driving immediate financial returns. For investors, this represents standard marketing spend rather than a material business catalyst.
The FanFest program demonstrates sophisticated customer segmentation and experiential marketing. By offering exclusive access to premium experiences, Verizon is creating tangible differentiators in a market where service offerings are increasingly commoditized. The focus on local customization in each market shows deep understanding of regional preferences and community engagement.
The initiative addresses a critical challenge in telecom - making intangible service benefits tangible through memorable experiences. By leveraging existing partnerships and infrastructure, Verizon creates high-perceived value for customers without incurring proportional costs. The emphasis on bringing guests extends the positive brand association beyond current subscribers.
While impressive in scope, this type of program typically yields soft returns through increased customer satisfaction and brand equity rather than hard financial metrics. For investors, it represents standard customer retention spending rather than a growth catalyst.
Verizon customers can bring guests to the once-in-a-lifetime fan experience, with activities including on-field access, meet and greets with local NFL legends, and more
NEW YORK, Jan. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a first-of-its-kind event, Verizon is transforming stadiums and venues across all 30 NFL markets into a nationwide FanFest unlike any other. Fans will enjoy free celebrations on Super Bowl LIX Sunday with food and beverages from locally-owned small businesses, meet and greets with local football heroes, live local music acts, interactive games and unique football fan experiences – and in select cities, experiencing Super Bowl LIX activities on the field. Verizon customers can bring a select number of guests to FanFest to share the afternoon of celebrations with family and friends.
Key highlights of the Verizon Super Bowl FanFest include:
- Stadiums and iconic locations, in select cities: Take a selfie from the 50-yard line, spike a ball in the endzone, take a tour of the locker rooms, enjoy tailgate games and participate in football-themed activities on the field. Fans will have once-in-a-lifetime field and stadium access, including at MetLife, SoFi, Nissan Stadium, Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, and more.
- Local Hall-of-Famers and player meet & greets: Fans will be hosted by a lineup of NFL legends and players in their hometowns, getting up close and personal with the likes of Tiki Barber, Emmanuel Sanders, Patrick Willis, Derrick Brooks, Jason Witten, Marshall Faulk, Jamaal Charles, Jason Taylor, and many more.
- Local Entertainment: The experience will be stacked with entertainment from team cheerleaders, local artists and live bands such as the Rams Mariachi band and Texans Gameday presentation team, as well as beats from local hit DJs such as DJ Infared, DJ Jay Ejercito, DJ Split Second Sound, and more — keeping fans entertained and energized throughout the day.
- Family Fun: There will be interactive activities designed for fans of all ages around the entire venue. From tailgate games to locker room access and photo ops, football enthusiasts can expect an evening of tech-infused fun.
- Local Flavor: Each event will feature tailgates and food prepared by local chefs, such as Chef Stacey Weber, whose reputation in the Arizona food community includes overseeing culinary operations for the Cardinals and Chef Rocco Whalen, Chef/Owner of Farenheit, one of Cleveland’s hotspots.
- Exclusive Merchandise: Fans will have access to exclusive team memorabilia in select cities.
Verizon customers can get more information about Super Bowl FanFest, a full list of events and locations, and access to free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis by visiting VerizonFanFest.com. FanFests across the country will take place on Sunday, February 9, beginning at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.
“Super Bowl LIX is the most anticipated sporting event of the year but few get to experience it in person; we wanted to bring that collective excitement and energy to fans across the country with once-in-a-lifetime access they’ll never forget,” said Leslie Berland, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer at Verizon. “Verizon is the only brand that can do something like this; we’re leveraging the power of our sponsorships, national and local partnerships across the country to put our customers at the center of this incredible event.”
Throughout the NFL season, Verizon has provided unparalleled experiences for fans, including more than 5,000 tickets to NFL games and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, like an all-access trip to London, skydiving with the Broncos and private helicopter rides to the stadium. As the Official 5G Network of the NFL, Verizon will host additional events in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX that will be announced soon.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of
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Media contacts:
Sara Eljouzi
sara.eljouzi@verizon.com
Elizabeth Angley
elizabeth.angley@verizon.com