Super Bowl Seen Setting Spending Record

Spending on food, drinks, apparel, decorations, big-screen TVs and other items for this Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX is expected to reach a record $18.6 billion, or $91.58 per person, the National Retail Federation predicts. That’s up from $17.3 billion, or $86.04 per person, a year ago.

The NRF also provides the following statistics on this year’s game, which pits the two-time reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles (the same matchup as the Super Bowl of two years ago that KC won 38-35):

• How many people are expected to watch?4 million adults, including more than 100 million who will host or attend a party and nearly 18 million who’ll watch at a bar or restaurant.
• Why do people tune in to the game? An NRF survey of 8000 consumers points to three main reasons: the game (43% ); the half-time show, this year with headliner Kendrick Lamar (19%); and the commercials (17%). Speaking of the ads, some 30-second spots for this year’s game sold for more than $8 million, Forbes reports, with snacks and beer being the two biggest categories of spots.
• What do people buy for the day? Food/beverages, 81%; team apparel, 14%; TVs, 10%; decorations, 8%; and furniture, 6%.

Click here for more NRF stats on the game.