Your ultimate California Super Bowl guide — how to watch, sound smart and have fun
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- NBC airs Super Bowl LX; many platforms (Peacock, NFL+, YouTube, etc.) stream it.
- California bans in-state sports betting; placing/accepting bets is a misdemeanor.
- Amtrak runs special Capitol Corridor trains to Santa Clara; reservations required.
This wasn’t the game at Levi’s Stadium 49ers fans dreamed of. Super Bowl LX comes to Santa Clara Sunday, but pits the Niners’ nemesis Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots. The Golden State connection hasn’t necessarily been a silver lining for local fans, but it has had some red-and-gold hues this week, and we have provided ways for you to enjoy it.
Depends on how you look at it.
- Niners fans could look at TV Sunday and Monday night and immerse themselves in the championship teams that won five Super Bowls from 1982 to 1995 with flair and drama through the well-timed docu-series “The Rise of the 49ers” on AMC. It kicked off Super Bowl week with new footage and evocative observations from Joe Montana, Steve Young and fan-boy-narrator Tom Brady. This is four hours of wistful football flair and drama. C’mon, even Brady haters had to enjoy watching him throw a ball to Jerry Rice.
- And mastermind Bill Walsh champions running back Roger Craig, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the NFL Honors Thursday. He won’t get to root for his team this year.
- The home team, by the way, is the New England Patriots. Next year, the game, with the NFC as the home team, will be played in Inglewood at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. And it happens to be a stadium that turns red-and-gold for 49ers appearances. So, dream on.
In the meantime, football is football, fun is fun, and we want you to have the best time, regardless of who is on the field for the 3:30 p.m. kickoff, this year broadcast by NBC (Channel 3). Through dozens of stories, we have provided the ultimate mostly-non-sports guide for you to tackle the game with joy. Or with football fan flair.
Here you go:
The basics — how to watch
We broke down how to keep your eyes and ears glued to the game.
How can I watch for free?: According to the Seahawks website, you can watch Super Bowl 60 live — and for free — on broadcast television network NBC.
On cable, the NFL Network will also be airing the big game live.
Can I watch it on Peacock? NFL+?: Several streaming platforms will feature live feeds of the Super Bowl, including:
- Peacock
- NFL+
- NBC Sports
- Fox Sports
- ESPN
- Fox Sports
- NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube and YouTube TV
- Fubo
- Sling (but not included in its one-day pass)
You can also watch the big game via the Seahawks and NFL mobile apps.
Can I listen to it on the radio?: If you’re on the road on Super Bowl Sunday, you can listen to the game on the radio.
Options in Sacramento include: KHTK (1140 AM) and KYMX-F2
You can try these radio stations in the Fresno area: KFIG-AM, KFPT-AM
In the San Luis Obispo area, tune in to: KPRL-AM. KXTK-AM
In the Modesto area, tune in to: KESP 970 AM
— Julia Hawkins, jhawkins@bellnghamherald.com
Some other quick deets
- Halftime show is Bad Bunny, who just won a Grammy for Album of the year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”
- Green Day will play during the opening ceremony.
- President Donald Trump will not be in attendance.
- The Seahawks are favored.
- And, yes, one major sports event wasn’t enough, the Olympic Games coincide with the Super Bowl. Twenty-three athletes from California competing in 10 events during this year’s Olympics and Paralympics.
- And one player has some Sacramento roots — Sacramento State All-American linebacker and Southern California native Marte Mapu, who plays for the Patriots.
But, is betting legal in Calfornia?
Can you put down some money on your favorite team? Not officially, at least, according to state law.
Legal bets on the game are expected to exceed $1.75 billion in the United States, Legal Sports Report said.
But both online and retail sports books are banned in California, Legal Sports Report said.
Accepting, placing or recording sports bets is a misdemeanor under state law.
You also can’t use online apps such as DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook or BetMGM for real-money sports betting in California.
Are there workarounds?: Some people have turned to prediction markets or fantasy football sites to scratch the Super Bowl betting urge, KTLA reported.
And, of course, nobody’s likely to investigate you for betting over who does the dishes for a week.
Have there been efforts to legalize sports betting in California?: In 2022, voters rejected two initiatives to allow and regulate sports betting in California.
Proposition 26 would have allowed tribal casinos and racetracks to accept in-person sports betting, the Legislative Analyst’s Office said.
Proposition 27 would have authorized tribes or gambling companies to offer online sports betting in the state, the office said.
— Don Sweeney, dsweeney@sacbee.com
How to sound smart
You don’t know football. Fake it, we have a guide on factoids you can spit out during the game to fan-splain to anyone who might be listening. Or, just say, “That’s what I’’m talking about!” occasionally and nod while you dip a chip.
Here are some facts about the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks:
What does the LX stand for? This is the 60th Super Bowl since the first one in 1967.
How much are commercials? Advertisers paid $8 million per 30-second commercial, which works out to $266,666.67 per second, USA Today reported.
What bonuses do players earn? Players on the winning team will earn $178,000 bonuses, Statista reported. Those on the less successful team will still earn $103,000.
Who’s wearing what? The New England Patriots will wear white, normally the color for visiting teams. The Seattle Seahawks will wear navy blue jerseys and pants, NBC reported. Technically, the Patriots are the home team because the AFC is the home team in even-numbered years.
Who produces the footballs? Wilson Sporting Goods in Ada, Ohio, produces the footballs for the big game. Each team receives 108, 54 for practice and 54 for the game, according to Reader’s Digest.
How many Super Bowl rematches have there been? Nine Super Bowl games have been rematches of previous championships, CBS Sports said. The winner of the previous game has prevailed in six of those games.
How many Super Bowls have the Patriots played? This is the 12th for New England, which adds up to a fifth of all Super Bowls, Britannica said. They’ve won six times.
Who are the Patriots to watch? Drake Mae, Stefon Diggs, Rhamondre Stevenson, Milton Williams, Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III are expected to be key players for New England, CBS Sports said.
Who are some famous Patriots fans? Ben Affleck, Elizabeth Banks, Jon Bon Jovi, Matt Damon and John Krasinski are fans, according to Cleveland.com.
Who is the team mascot? Pat Patriot, a costumed character representing a Revolutionary War soldier, according to the New England Patriots.
What’s the team’s history? Originally the Boston Patriots, the team was founded in 1959 as a charter American Football League member. They played at Fenway Park and other stadiums before moving to Foxborough, Mass., in 1971, Gametime reported.
Who owns the Patriots? Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 for $172 million, ESPN reported. It was highest price ever paid for a professional football team at the time.
How many Super Bowls have the Seahawks played? The team is in its fourth Super Bowl, CBS Sports reported. All of their appearances have been since 2006. They have won once.
Who are the Seahawks to watch? Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker III, Devon Witherspoon, Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, Ernest Jones IV and Rashid Shaheed are predicted to be key players for Seattle, CBS Sports said.
Who are some famous Seahawks fans? Will Ferrell, Bill Gates, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Chris Pratt and Rainn Wilson are fans, according to Cleveland.com.
Who is the team mascot? Blitz, a blue-feathered, anthropomorphic bird, according to the Seahawks.
What’s the team’s history? The Seahawks took the field for the first time in 1976 as an expansion team, the Pro Football Hall of Fame said. They have always played in Seattle.
Who owns the Seahawks? Paul G. Allen bought the team in 1996, saving the team from a potential relocation to Southern California, ESPN reported. The team has been managed by a trust since Allen’s death in 2018 and will reportedly go up for sale following the Super Bowl.
— Don Sweeney, dsweeney@sacbee.com
Where to cheer and watch in Sac
If you don’t have tickets for the big game at Levi’s Stadium, here are eight spots where you can watch in the Sacramento area.
2724 J St., Sacramento
The midtown sports bar is throwing a “Super Barwest Party” on Sunday, Feb. 8.
More than 30 TVs and a giant 17-foot screen will show the “biggest game of the year” throughout the bar.
Barwest will serve 23 beers on tap and a selection of game day snacks to partygoers. A specials menu was not available as of Wednesday, but the bar’s usual menu includes wings, burgers, salads, sandwiches and appetizers like onion rings, nachos and fried pickles.
805 Riverfront St., West Sacramento
The virtual golf club is turning to football on Super Bowl Sunday.
For $35, guests can get all-you-can-eat tacos and appetizers to eat while watching the game on large screens in the restaurant or in private viewing rooms. Birdies will also have beer and themed cocktail specials throughout the day.
Birdies’s golf bays will transform into the best private party space in town, with 200-inch TV displays. There is no rental fee for reserving a golf bay, but inquiries ahead of time are required and a food and beverage minimum will apply.
Doors open at 2 p.m. for the watch party, and the social club encourages purchasing AYCE tickets ahead of time on its Eventbrite page.
723 56th St., Sacramento
Seahawks fans are sure to gather at Clubhouse 56 in East Sacramento to watch their beloved team try to redeem itself against the team that triumphed over it at Super Bowl XLIX.
The bar shared on Facebook that it will play the biggest game of the year, but it did not mention whether there will be any food or drink specials.
Its everyday food menu is full of sports bar staples, with wings, fried apps, burgers, hot dogs and more.
Patriots fans beware — the bar will be packed with 12s.
985 Riverfront St., West Sacramento
West Sacramento’s top bar is back with its The Big Game party on Feb. 8.
Drake’s: The Barn will offer food and drink specials on its expansive lawn while a large LED screen plays Super Bowl LX, starting at 3 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday.
Its signature Bucket o’Beers — which is exactly as it sounds — will be offered, as well as three main food specials. Those food specials include the “Game Day Trio,” “The Halftime” and carne asada fries.
The “Game Day Trio” includes chicken wings, onion rings and french fries. “The Halftime” features half of a pepperoni pizza and garlic sticks. And the carne asada fries loads shredded cheese and carne asada onto a bed of french fries, topped with two salsas, sour cream, cilantro and onions.
While reservations for the Drake’s watch party are not required, the bar recommends them to secure a space.
6415 Elvas Ave., Sacramento
Adjacent to the Sacramento State campus, Garden at the Line will screen the football game with beer and food specials.
With dozens of beers, cider, seltzers and wine on tap and nine area restaurants slinging a diverse set of cuisines, partygoers can get a taste of just about anything while watching the Super Bowl’s 60th showdown.
However, the Puppy Bowl is taking main stage at the East Sacramento beer garden, with a live in-person event featuring real puppies.
Garden at the Line is hosting their live Puppy Bowl event in partnership with Junebug Foundation, a nonprofit based in Placer County aimed at supporting area rescue pets with medical needs.
According to the beer garden, all the puppies at the event will be available for adoption.
455 Bercut Drive, Sacramento
Bad Bunny fans can celebrate their favorite part of the game — the halftime show — with Benito Bowl, a Bad Bunny-themed watch party hosted by Maya Cantina in collaboration with a Sacramento-area event promoter.
It was not clear whether the restaurant planned to have drink or food specials for the event, but its menu honors Mexico’s Guanajuato area in the country’s central region.
Dishes on Maya’s main menu include classic Mexican favorites, Mexican fusion such as birria ramen and egg rolls, and a wide selection of seafood options.
The drinks menu includes traditional and specialty cocktails, beer, Micheladas and wine.
614 Sutter St., Suite D, Folsom
In Folsom’s Historic District, the live events venue is planning a 21+ Super Bowl Bash starting at noon.
A 15-foot TV screen will play the big game, with barbecue served on the patio. Powerhouse’s partner business, Big Robs Cigar & Hookah Cabana, will provide cigars and hookah.
According to Powerhouse’s website, entry to the Super Bowl watch party is free.
414 K St., Suite 180, Sacramento
The chain sports bar will host its usual Downtown Commons big game party on Super Bowl Sunday.
A special Super Bowl menu was not available Wednesday, but the bar’s usual menu features plenty of small plates and full entree options. On the drinks side, Tom’s serves dozens of beer, wine, seltzer and cider options bottled or on tap, as well as a wide selection of specialty cocktails.
For a luxe high-end experience, Tom’s Watch Bar offers a Big Game VIP package. This package comes with an unlimited open bar and a special food menu with table-side service at the “best seats in the house.”
The VIP package starts at $149.99 per person, with premium alcohol options and a la carte food available at an extra cost. Reservations ahead of Super Bowl Sunday are required, and all guests must be 21 or older.
— Camila Pedrosa, cpedrosa@sacbee.com
Really, you have a ticket? Take the train
Amtrak will offer special Capitol Corridor rail service to Santa Clara from Sacramento
The special game day service will only be offered Feb. 8. Reservations are required for all Capitol Corridor trains that day.
Before the game, westbound trains 729, 733, and 737 arrive at Santa Clara – Great America Station.
After the game, eastbound trains 746, 748, 750, and Westbound Train 747 depart Santa Clara – Great America Station.
Reservations are required, and tickets purchased for other dates, including monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, do not apply.
Reservations are required, and tickets purchased for other dates, including monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, do not apply.
Tickets can be purchased: On the Capitol Corridor website, on the Amtrak App or on Amtrak.com, at a staffed station, at station kiosks.
— Don Sweeney, dsweeney@sacbee.com
Let the dogs in. George Kibble didn’t make it
Flip over to the Puppy Bowl. Some of the cutest athletes in the world will “ruffhouse” on national television, including a standout rookie from Sacramento.
At this year’s Puppy Bowl XXII, 150 pups from across the country will compete for the coveted “Lombarky” trophy and raise awareness for animal rescue organizations. Representing the capital region in its third Puppy Bowl participation is tiny Gold Nugget, a teacup chihuahua with a personality as sparkling as her name.
Gold Nugget — whose full name is Daisy Labubu Gold Nugget — beat out her littermates George Kibble and Sourdough Sam for a spot on Puppy Bowl’s Team Ruff this year.
“Puppy Bowl chose Gold Nugget, which is not at all surprising, because she was the smallest of the three puppies,” said Sarah Varanini, communications manager for the Sacramento SPCA. “She also just has a very cute, unique face. Her eyes are kind of going in different directions. But it’s so cute, and she’s just really charming.”
Animal Planet has hosted the Puppy Bowl for more than 20 years alongside the Super Bowl as a “call-to-adoption” event. Adoptable dogs from shelters around the U.S., Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands — split up into Team Fluff and Team Ruff — play in the cutest game of the year.
In its 22nd installment, the Bowl will include an exhibition game featuring adoptable senior dogs, on Team Goldie and Team Oldie. In previous years, the Puppy Bowl has featured a halftime purr-formance with shelter kittens, but there’s no word on whether a bunny will headline this year.
Jennifer Brent, the Sacramento SPCA CEO, chaperoned Gold Nugget to the Puppy Bowl shoot in New York in the fall. Varanini said the rookie was unphased by the VIP treatment and she was “the best puppy in the world.”
Varanini said Gold Nugget was the smallest pup on the roster and everyone on set loved her.
“When we sent (Gold Nugget) to Puppy Bowl ... we couldn’t find dog shirts that were her size, so we bought 49ers socks that we cut holes in to put on her, and it was the perfect size,” Varanini said.
This is the third year the Sacramento SPCA has sent a delegate to the Puppy Bowl. In 2024, chihuahua mix Bark Purdy played for Team Ruff and last year, poodle mix Tobias “Dee-Bone” Samuel won the bowl’s Most Pupular award.
Varanini said the Sacramento SPCA names Puppy Bowl contenders in honor of the San Francisco 49ers, as it is one of few Northern California shelters participating in the event.
In the wake of the last two Puppy Bowls, the capital region organization saw a notable increase in visibility and community support, Varanini said.
“All of these dogs featured in the Puppy Bowl are adopted from shelters. And to have so many people, both nationally and locally, excited about that ... it’s definitely a really big positive for us,” Varanini said. “If you want a puppy like (Gold Nugget) and if you want your new best friend, check out your local shelter.”
Fortunately for Gold Nugget, she was already adopted by an SPCA staff member who “fell in love with her” before she got a taste of athlete stardom Varanini said.
Gold Nugget’s fans will have a chance to meet the star player on Saturday, Feb. 7. The SPCA is partnering with Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento on a limited-edition India Pale Ale beer benefitting the animal rescue organization. The “Forever Home” IPA will feature photos of four SPCA alumni on its label, including one of Gold Nugget, who now goes by Daisy in her own forever home.
The fundraiser event will be at 2568 Industrial Blvd., Suite 110, in West Sacramento from noon to 5 p.m. the day before the Puppy Bowl and Super Bowl. Varanini said the SPCA will host its own Puppy Bowl at the brewery, with bulldog-Great Dane mix foster puppies. Gold Nugget will be in attendance.
The capital region animal rescue organization hopes to see a lot of the pint-sized punter on the Animal Planet broadcast, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Pacific Time on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8. The stream will also be available on Discovery, TBS, truTV, HBO Max and discovery+ simultaneously.
“We’re keeping our paws crossed,” Varanini said.
— Camila Pedrosa, cpedrosa@sacbee.com