Central Coast Airports Prepare for Super Bowl VIP Influx

Watsonville and Salinas airports expect surge in private jet traffic for the big game

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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As the San Francisco Bay Area gears up to host Super Bowl LX, two municipal airports on the Central Coast are bracing for an influx of private jet traffic from high-profile guests looking to avoid the congestion around the main venue in Santa Clara. Watsonville Municipal Airport and Salinas Municipal Airport have been designated by the FAA as overflow airports to handle the anticipated surge in air traffic over Super Bowl weekend.

Why it matters

The Central Coast airports offer a more discreet and convenient option for wealthy attendees to access the Super Bowl, with easy highway access and proximity to popular destinations like Monterey and Carmel. This influx of private jet traffic represents an economic boost for the regional airports, which are preparing special welcome packages for their VIP guests.

The details

Both Watsonville and Salinas airports report booking additional private flights for the Super Bowl weekend, with Salinas expecting around 20 extra flights. The airports tout benefits like cheaper fuel prices, quick highway access, and enhanced security as draws for private jet owners. Officials from the airports say they've been coordinating with the FAA for months to handle the anticipated surge in air traffic.

  • The airports are expecting the bulk of private jet traffic to arrive on Friday and Saturday, ahead of the Super Bowl kickoff on Sunday at 3:30 pm.
  • In 2016, when Super Bowl 50 was held at Levi's Stadium, Watsonville Municipal Airport also saw a significant increase in private jet traffic.

The players

Watsonville Municipal Airport

A regional airport in Santa Cruz County, located about 50 miles from Levi's Stadium, that has experience handling private jet traffic for past Super Bowls.

Salinas Municipal Airport

A municipal airport in Salinas, California, that is being used as an overflow airport to handle private jet traffic for the Super Bowl, thanks to its convenient highway access and proximity to the Monterey Peninsula.

Matt Nelson

The airport manager of the Salinas Municipal Airport.

Michelle Pulido

A spokesperson for the Watsonville Municipal Airport.

Rick Breitenfeldt

A spokesperson for the FAA.

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What they’re saying

“Literally, the airport is a half mile away from the onramp of highway 101. You drive a half mile, you're literally on the 101 going north to San Jose.”

— Matt Nelson, Airport Manager, Salinas Municipal Airport (sfgate.com)

“With access to the [venue] and with how close we are to Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove and Big Sur, we're an overflow airport, the Teterboro for big [events] like this weekend, the golf tournament or Car Week.”

— Matt Nelson, Airport Manager, Salinas Municipal Airport (sfgate.com)

“We're seeing a slight decline from 10 years ago. We have a couple scheduled for Friday and we have several coming in on Saturday but not what we saw back in 2016.”

— Michelle Pulido, Spokesperson, Watsonville Municipal Airport (sfgate.com)

“We're definitely excited.”

— Matt Nelson, Airport Manager, Salinas Municipal Airport (sfgate.com)

What’s next

The FAA will continue to monitor air traffic in the region over the Super Bowl weekend, ensuring the 17 designated airports can handle the influx of private jets and commercial flights.

The takeaway

The Central Coast airports' ability to accommodate wealthy Super Bowl attendees looking to avoid the congestion around the main venue highlights the importance of regional transportation infrastructure in hosting major events. This influx of private jet traffic represents an economic opportunity for these smaller airports, showcasing their value as alternatives to the busier hubs.