In May of 2014, the NFL awarded Minnesota the 52nd Super Bowl.  The game itself will be played in U.S. Bank Stadium, however the event will stretch out across the entire state.  The vision of Super Bowl LII Executive Board is being developed now.  The Executive Board is made up of Governor Mark Dayton, Zygi Wilf (Minnesota Vikings), Mark Wilf (Minnesota Vikings), Richard Davis (U.S. Bancorp), Marilyn Carlson Nelson (Carlson Companies), Doug Baker (Ecolab), Lester Bagley (Minnesota Vikings), Michael Langley (Greater MSP).

The Super Bowl, in terms of an event, is a 10 day festival with millions of guests.  There are connections to 130 countries, 33 languages, 5,000 media outlets, and 10,000 volunteers.  The game won’t be played until February 2018 but the planning to put this all together is well underway.  The launch of this event is really game day of Super Bowl 51 in Houston.

So what is the opportunity for Greater Mankato to be a part of this event?  Right now concepts are being explored to see what is feasible.  Greater Mankato Growth is engaging on multiple fronts with statewide and national partners to see what makes financial sense…how can we highlight our region and it’s businesses…what partnerships are logical and create a return on investment.  But with an estimated $400+ million in total economic benefit to the state of Minnesota at stake, it definitely is worth the consideration.

The economic impact is already beginning in Mankato.  Local hotels are receiving reservation requests for dates around the Super Bowl.  So our marketplace’s engagement, if done correctly, could enhance the value of being the summer home of the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp.  We could raise the profile of our community in the global spotlight that comes with a Super Bowl.