Patriots, Seahawks Avoid 49ers' Practice Facility Amid Electrical Substation Conspiracy

Both teams will practice at nearby college campuses instead of the 49ers' facility, which has been the subject of unsubstantiated injury claims.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, who are set to face off in Super Bowl 60, will not be using the San Francisco 49ers' practice facility during their stay in the Bay Area. This decision comes amid a viral conspiracy theory that the 49ers' facility's proximity to an electrical substation is causing player injuries. While teams often use the host team's facilities, both the Patriots and Seahawks will instead practice at nearby college campuses.

Why it matters

The conspiracy theory about the 49ers' practice facility and the electrical substation has gained traction online, with some claiming the electromagnetic fields are leading to more player injuries. However, experts have widely debunked the idea, stating there is no firm evidence to support these claims. By practicing elsewhere, the Patriots and Seahawks are avoiding any potential distractions or concerns related to this unsubstantiated theory.

The details

The Patriots will be practicing at Stanford University's facilities in Palo Alto, while the Seahawks will use San Jose State's campus. This is similar to the setup in 2016, when the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers also opted for nearby college facilities rather than the 49ers' complex. The conspiracy theory centers around the 49ers' practice field being located next to a major electrical substation, with some claiming the electromagnetic fields are weakening players' soft tissue and leading to more injuries. However, experts have dismissed these claims as "nonsense" and "unlikely" to be true.

  • Super Bowl 60 is set to kick off on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
  • Both the Patriots and Seahawks are expected to arrive in Santa Clara a full week before the big game.

The players

New England Patriots

The AFC champion team that will be facing the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60.

Seattle Seahawks

The NFC champion team that will be facing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60.

San Francisco 49ers

The host team for Super Bowl 60, whose practice facility has been the subject of a conspiracy theory about its proximity to an electrical substation.

George Kittle

A 49ers player who suffered a torn Achilles, one of the many injuries the team has dealt with in recent years.

Nick Bosa

A 49ers player who suffered a season-ending injury, one of the many injuries the team has dealt with in recent years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Because it deals with allegedly the health and safety of our players, I think you have to look into everything. We've been reaching out to anyone and everyone to see, does a study exist other than a guy sticking an apparatus underneath the fence and coming up with a number that I have no idea what that means? That's what we know exists. We've heard that debunked.”

— John Lynch, 49ers General Manager

“There is no firmly established evidence that EMFs can weaken soft tissue to cause more injuries.”

— Jerrold Bushberg, UC Davis Radiology Professor

“The idea that EMFs are leading to more injuries is 'nonsense'.”

— Frank de Vocht, Bristol Medical School Professor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.