Tuesday, October 20, 2026

NFL: Media Access to Super Bowl Near Pre-Covid Level

  • Over 6,000 media credentialed to cover Super Bowl 57
  • Number increased from 5,300 in 2022 and 2,400 in 2021.
Media at NFL Super Bowl Opening Night.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

PHOENIX – The Super Bowl is returning to normal from a press perspective, with accredited media returning to pre-COVID-19 levels.

  • The league has credentialed over 6,000 media members from over 24 countries to cover Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 12.
  • That’s up 13 percent from the 5,300 media members who covered Super Bowl 56 in Los Angeles last year. And a 150 percent increase over the 2,400 media covering Super Bowl 55 in Tampa at the height of the pandemic in 2021.
  • This year’s total could equal or surpass the 6,000-plus media who covered Super Bowl 54 in Miami in 2020 before the pandemic put the U.S. sports industry into limbo. But the NFL doesn’t have final figures yet.
Tom Brady

Could Tom Brady Join Fox Broadcast Booth for Super Bowl LVII?

Brady signed a $375 million, 10-year deal as Fox’s top NFL analyst. 
February 1, 2023

The NFL is coming off a massive TV season heading into the kickoff of Super Bowl 57 on Fox Sports (6:30 p.m. ET).

The league’s AFC and NFC conference championship games averaged 50.7 million viewers. That’s up two percent from last year (49.6 million viewers) and the highest since 2014 (53.7 million viewers).

Overall, this year’s NFL Playoff games from Super Wild Card Weekend through the Conference Championships averaged 35.3 million viewers, up five percent from the five-year average between 2018-2002.

Meanwhile, the NFL Playoffs reached a total unduplicated audience of 217.9 million viewers – or nearly 70 percent of viewers in U.S. TV households.

On Tuesday, the NFL and law enforcement community members will brief the media on the public safety strategy around this year’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Hall of Fame quterback Troy Aikman stands with his Monday Night Football Broadcast announcer Joe Buck before a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Buck, Aikman Avoid the Elephant in the ‘MNF’ Booth

Aikman and Buck focused purely on football in their ‘MNF’ intro.

NFL Says Paris Game Still on As French Protests Escalate

Unrest has grown in France in recent days.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/19/26 – NBA Limits Prop Bets, Michigan Benches Underwood, Upsets Shake CFB

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.

NBC Sports Faces Pivotal Week

The network and its parent company are at a key inflection point.
October 19, 2026

WNBA Finals Goes Hollywood With ‘Orange Carpet’ Show

E! is bringing red carpet coverage to Game 2 of the Finals.
Sponsored

Why Brands Are Betting On Major League Soccer

Discover why brands are investing in MLS as the league builds on World Cup momentum to drive fan engagement and sponsorship growth.
Sponsored

Why Brands Are Betting On Major League Soccer

Discover why brands are investing in MLS as the league builds on World Cup momentum to drive fan engagement and sponsorship growth.
Troy Aikman
Exclusive
October 16, 2026

Troy Aikman, Dolphins Have No Ongoing Consulting Agreement

Aikman’s official role ended with the coach and GM searches.
Opinion
October 15, 2026

Troy Aikman–Joe Buck Breakup Looks More Likely Than Ever

ESPN hasn’t formally offered Troy Aikman a new deal, sources say.
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Television commentator Troy Aikman speaks before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
October 15, 2026

Aikman Eyeing ‘Next Landing Spot,’ Doesn’t Deny Rift With Buck

Aikman is slated to become a free agent after the season.
October 14, 2026

ESPN Not Reaching Out on Clippers Story Was ‘Disappointing’ for Torre

Torre spoke at the FOS Tuned In summit Tuesday.