NFL Legend Blasts Super Bowl Location

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NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin went on a fiery rant criticizing the NFL's decision to hold the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California at Levi's Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers. Irvin called it 'the worst Super Bowl' he has ever attended, saying the city and event felt 'blah' and lacked the energy and excitement typically associated with the big game.

Why it matters

The Super Bowl is the biggest event in American sports, and the host city is a major part of the spectacle. Irvin's strong condemnation of Santa Clara as a Super Bowl host raises questions about the NFL's site selection process and whether certain cities are better equipped to handle the logistical and experiential demands of the event.

The details

In his rant, Irvin said 'This was a horrible Super Bowl. They should never ever, ever, ever bring the Super Bowl back to San Francisco. In all the years of going to a Super Bowl, this was the worst. It was blah in the city. It just wasn't jumping. The people, blah. The buildings out here looked blah. When you go into an event it was blah.' He went on to say 'I'm thinking there should be so much money out here because the tech is out here, but it all looked so blah... I couldn't wait until this moment came to tell you DAMN! I believe this is the worst Super Bowl I have ever gone to... NFL, you cannot come back here again. You cannot have a Super Bowl back here again. NFC Championship game, if they earned it, okay.'

• The Super Bowl was held on February 19, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The NFL will likely review Irvin's feedback and consider whether Santa Clara and Levi's Stadium are suitable to host future Super Bowls. The league may also examine its site selection process to ensure host cities can provide the energy and experience expected for the big game.