Just That One Time I Went to the Super Bowl
- Kelly Berger
- Feb 3
- 6 min read
It all started with reading a blog post.
Similar to the one you’re reading right now.
I came across a recap from an accessible travel blogger explaining how they attended the Super Bowl as a wheelchair user. And I was intrigued.
The process seemed simple: a piece of paper, an envelope, and a stamp.
So I thought, why not? Worth a shot. Leave it to fate.
I mailed an old-school snail mail letter to the NFL Super Bowl ADA Random Drawing address and didn’t think much of it after that.
“Attend the Super Bowl” has always been on my bucket list, and I know I’m not alone in that.
Then, in early November 2024, I received an email saying I’d been selected for the NFL ADA ticket lottery. I almost didn’t believe it.
I was given the opportunity to purchase a face-value ADA ticket for myself (a person living with a physical disability) and one companion. Considering Super Bowl tickets often sell for thousands of dollars—especially on resale—this felt unreal. Almost like a prestigious honor, and I was now part of an exclusive club. The NFL ADA lottery is the only verified way to obtain authentic, truly accessible Super Bowl tickets.
It took a while to comprehend this news. Was I really going to the Super Bowl? I didn’t personally know anyone who had ever gone. Was I about to be that person?
After much contemplation, I said yes and bought the tickets. I wasn’t about to miss this moment.
Planning the Trip
Super Bowl host cities are chosen years in advance, and hotels sell out quickly after they are announced. I scrambled but managed to secure an accessible hotel room about an hour outside of New Orleans...in Mississippi.
I had never been to Louisiana or Mississippi, so I was pumped to cross off two new states in one trip. Jazz, Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, Creole cuisine, and Cajun culture—I was ready for it all.
I made the 12+ hour drive to “The Big Easy” in my accessible van with my traveling caregiver to meet up with a high school friend and die-hard NFL fan. Together, we were headed to Super Bowl LIX (59) to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We arrived early and made a long weekend out of it, which I highly recommend. Getting familiar with the city and planning routes ahead of time made everything less stressful, even when plans changed.
Navigating New Orleans
Navigating the city was quite an obstacle. Being that this was “The Big Easy,” it was not easy to get around. NOLA is considered to be one of the older historic cities in the United States, which I knew going in. Narrow streets, cobblestones, a lack of curb cuts, and sometimes no sidewalks at all made getting around frustrating and exhausting. There was a lot of rerouting, backtracking, and downright skipping things I’d hoped to do.
With recent violent attacks in the city and the presence of high-profile attendees, security was intense. Armed guards, barriers, checkpoints, and massive crowds were everywhere. It didn’t fully hit me how big this event was until we were right in the thick of it.
Game Day
The 2025 Super Bowl took place on Sunday, February 9th at Caesars Superdome—the eleventh Super Bowl hosted in New Orleans and the eighth at the Superdome. The matchup was the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
Since our hotel was far from the stadium, driving my accessible van into the city was our only option. Thankfully, the NFL accommodations team provided access to a private ADA parking garage. While expensive, being parked just steps from the stadium was a total game-changer...pun intended. It was gated, monitored by staff, had clear signage, and felt safe.
Outside the garage, ADA escort staff were waiting to assist. I hesitated at first, but once I saw the throngs of crowds surrounding the arena, I knew we couldn’t do this alone. Asking for help was absolutely the right choice.
Our escort cleared a path through the crowds, guided us through ticketing and security (including a security dogsniff and search for both me and my chair), and helped us get to our seats.
Our viewpoint was particularly ideal, right in the middle of the first general concourse area— wow! Each ADA and companion pair of tickets is randomly assigned a section, so I had no idea if I was going to be in the nosebleeds or right up front. Eventually, it felt worth the hassle.
The Experience
The fans were next level. I went in fairly neutral (though slightly rooting for the Eagles ;) ), and I did not expect people yelling, chanting, and getting aggressive right in my face. Watching it on TV does not prepare you for how intense it feels in person.
The entertainment lived up to the hype. Jon Batiste performed the national anthem, and Kendrick Lamar, featuring SZA, delivered the halftime show.
Then there were the celebrities. Adam Sandler, Bradley Cooper, Jay-Z, and Taylor Swift were all in attendance—and yes, I absolutely fangirled when she appeared on the screen. Total Swiftie here, no shame.
This was my legit first-ever NFL game experience—and it was the Super Bowl. I know that sounds widely privileged and elite, but it’s true. Talk about being thrown into the mac-daddy of sporting events possible.
One thing you don’t realize watching from home is how awkward “TV Timeouts” feel in person. Everything pauses, the energy dips, and everyone just waits. Plus, the announcers and performers only direct things to this singular camera in front of them, when there’s a whole arena of over 75,000 people to address.
The overall game wasn’t that much of a nail-biter—the Eagles won 40-22—the atmosphere was unforgettable.
The electricity may not have come from the game itself, but the sheer fact that I was at the Super Bowl was pure magic.
We left the game a little early to avoid the chaos and ensure a calmer, safer exit.
Final Thoughts
Attending the Super Bowl was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A rollercoaster adventure. A privilege. And something I’ll likely never be awarded again.
The NFL ADA lottery gave me an opportunity that many people living with disabilities rarely get to experience. I’m incredibly glad I took a chance, sent that letter, and ultimately said yes. Sometimes, sending something small out into the void really does come back bigger than you ever expect.
If you wish to hear more about my experience or have direct questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to ladieslivingrare@gmail.com.
With love always,
Kelly
Want to Try the Super Bowl ADA Random Drawing Ticket Lottery?
Enter between February 1st and June 1st of the year preceding the Super Bowl.
Send a physical letter with your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address to:
“Super Bowl ADA Random Drawing
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154”
Notifications typically begin in October – check your spam folder, just in case.
Follow acceptance instructions carefully and on time. This dictates whether you’re accepted, or it defaults to the next person in their system.
Complete your ticket invoice using your Ticketmaster NFL One Pass account.
Don’t panic if you don’t see your tickets appear right away; they are delivered closer to game day.
If you’re not selected for the first go-around, try, try again.
Request ADA escorts and parking early—I highly recommend it.
Use the NFL ADA accommodations team email provided to coordinate all of your needs. Don’t get discouraged if replies are slow. Send follow-ups or call their help line provided to advocate for your essentials.
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