Super Bowl LI Team, Media, NFL and Fan Bases Of Operation
For the third time ever and the first time since 2004, the city of Houston is hosting America’s greatest sporting extravaganza, when the Atlanta Falcons take on the New England Patriots, Sunday at 6:30 PM ET. Approximately 140,000 people will make their way to the nation’s fourth largest city for the mega event, with the bulk of Super Bowl LI related proceedings occurring in downtown Houston, all while the game day and team setup exists to both the south and west of the downtown area.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the Houston logistical operation, leading up to Sunday’s battle for the Lombardi Trophy.
Stadium
NRG Stadium (formerly known as Reliant Stadium) sits in the southern part of Houston, six miles south of downtown. The facility has served as the home venue and headquarters of the Texans, dating back to its opening in 2002. Super Bowl XXXVIII (February 2004) was also played at NRG, when the Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29.
New England Patriots Hotel & Practice Site
The AFC champs are calling the JW Marriott Houston home. The JW sits seven miles southwest of downtown, across the street from The Galleria shopping complex, in Uptown Houston.
Tom Brady and his teammates are preparing for the game at the University of Houston practice facility, located eight miles east of the hotel.
Atlanta Falcons Hotel & Practice Site
The NFC champs are lodging at The Westin Houston, Memorial City hotel. The Westin is found 12 miles west of downtown, in the city’s Memorial area.
Matt Ryan and crew are getting ready at the Rice University football complex, situated 12 miles southeast of the hotel.
NFL Headquarter Hotel
League operations are based out of the JW Marriott Downtown Houston, at 806 Main Street.
Media Headquarters/Radio Row
The approximately 5,000 credentialed media members will conduct their business at the George. R. Brown Convention Center, located in the eastern part of downtown Houston.
NFL Experience Driven by Genesis
The interactive fan event is also taking place at the George. R. Brown Convention Center.
Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon
The outdoor fan village is going on at Discovery Green, the 12-acre park located immediately west of the George. R. Brown Convention Center.
Network Broadcast Locations
FOX Sports and FS1 is broadcasting from Discovery Green, amid the Super Bowl LIVE festivities.
ESPN has set up shop in downtown Houston, immediately southwest of the Toyota Center (home of the Rockets), four blocks from Discovery Green.
NFL Network and NFL Digital is operating from both the Discovery Green and George. R. Brown Convention Center.
