Super Bowl and Winter Olympics Collide on Busy Sports Sunday

Barrie, Ontario establishments like Malones Pint House see influx of fans watching both big events

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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As the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks face off in the Super Bowl, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy are also in full swing, creating a rare confluence of major sporting events on one Sunday. Barrie, Ontario bars and restaurants like Malones Pint House are bustling with fans watching both events, with some rooting for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl and others more focused on the Winter Games.

Why it matters

This convergence of the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics is a unique occurrence that only happens once every four years, and was last disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a major opportunity for local sports bars and restaurants to capitalize on the influx of fans looking to watch both major events.

The details

Malones Pint House in Barrie is one establishment seeing a surge in business, with owner Sarah Lynne Maloney saying they expect to sell 75-85 tickets on this Super Bowl/Olympics Sunday. The bar has enough TVs to accommodate fans interested in both events, and is offering a halftime buffet. While some patrons like Chris Connolly and Karen Pollock are rooting for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, others like Darryl and Brenda are more focused on the Winter Olympics, particularly events like women's hockey and figure skating.

  • The Super Bowl kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy are in full swing, having started earlier in the week.

The players

Malones Pint House

A bar and restaurant in Barrie, Ontario that is seeing a surge in business due to the confluence of the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics.

Chris Connolly

A Barrie resident who is cheering for the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, saying "I want to see Seattle win. New England has won enough."

Karen Pollock

A Barrie resident who, like Connolly, is rooting for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

Darryl

A Barrie resident who is more focused on the Winter Olympics, saying "You have to respect our country and you do that by watching the Olympics."

Brenda

Darryl's wife, who also expressed interest in watching the Winter Olympics, particularly the women's hockey games.

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What they’re saying

“I want to see Seattle win. New England has won enough,”

— Chris Connolly (barrietoday.com)

“You have to respect our country and you do that by watching the Olympics,”

— Darryl (barrietoday.com)

“We watched the women yesterday. That was a good game,”

— Brenda (barrietoday.com)

What’s next

The Canadian men's hockey team will begin their Olympic tournament on February 12th against the Czech Republic, followed by games against Switzerland on February 13th and France on February 15th.

The takeaway

This unique convergence of the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics provides a major opportunity for local sports bars and restaurants to capitalize on the influx of fans looking to watch both major events, showcasing the enduring appeal of live sports viewing experiences.