Super Bowl FOMO Reveals Psychology Behind Financial Decisions

The same fear of missing out that drives fans' Super Bowl experiences also shapes their financial choices.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The excitement and FOMO (fear of missing out) surrounding Super Bowl week in the San Francisco Bay Area illustrates how this psychological phenomenon can influence not just entertainment and social decisions, but also financial ones. Just as FOMO drives fans to overspend on Super Bowl tickets, parties, and experiences, the same psychology can lead investors to make poor financial choices by chasing hot investments or falling victim to market bubbles. Understanding the deep-rooted psychological drivers behind FOMO, including common knowledge, regret, hindsight bias, group identity, and status, is key to making more rational money decisions.

Why it matters

FOMO is a powerful psychological force that can lead to irrational financial behavior, from overspending on experiences to chasing investment bubbles. By understanding the underlying psychology behind FOMO, people can learn to make more thoughtful, disciplined money choices, even in the midst of high-excitement events like the Super Bowl.

The details

During Super Bowl week in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are countless events, parties, and photo opportunities that fans fear missing out on. From the giant block party in Chinatown to the VIP tailgate gatherings, the fear of not being part of the action can drive fans to overspend. This FOMO dynamic is similar to how investors sometimes rush to buy assets like gold, silver, or Bitcoin out of a fear of missing out on price surges, often to their financial detriment.

  • Super Bowl week takes place in early February 2026 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • The Super Bowl game itself is scheduled for Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Hersh Shefrin

A professor of finance at Santa Clara University who has studied the psychological factors behind financial decision-making, including the role of FOMO.

Steven Pinker

A Harvard psychologist whose research on common knowledge and group behavior provides insights into the psychology underlying FOMO.

Buck Shaw

The legendary former football coach of Santa Clara University, whose coaching legacy is tied to the San Francisco 49ers.

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What they’re saying

“FOMO is a fitting concept for San Francisco, as the 49ers football team's name stems from the California Gold Rush of 1849. During the 1840s, FOMO induced a lot of people to rush to 49er country in order to prospect for gold. Some made money, but most prospectors walked away without much to show for their efforts.”

— Hersh Shefrin, Professor of Finance (Forbes)

“Common knowledge refers to the phenomenon in which behavior is impacted by watching what other people are doing, while being aware that everyone is watching everyone else – and recognizing that this is the same for everyone else. Pinker explains that this self-aware mutual monitoring behavior amplifies financial bubbles, be they related to the prices of gold, silver, bitcoin, stocks, or tickets to the Super Bowl. Common knowledge provides the environment in which FOMO thrives.”

— Hersh Shefrin, Professor of Finance (Forbes)

What’s next

As the Super Bowl approaches, fans will continue to grapple with FOMO and the psychological pressures that come with it. Financial experts will be watching to see if this high-profile event leads to any notable FOMO-driven investment behaviors in the markets.

The takeaway

The Super Bowl FOMO phenomenon illustrates how deeply rooted psychological factors like common knowledge, regret, status, and group identity can shape not just our entertainment and social choices, but also our financial decisions. Understanding this psychology is key to making more rational money choices, even in the midst of exciting events.