MIAMI _ Super Bowl week is finally here.
We're six days away from the record 11th Super Bowl in Miami, and game officials are ecstatic about this week's events and activities leading up to Sunday's grand spectacle.
They're even excited the experience they provide locals and visitors this week could lead to another Super Bowl in the area in the next five to seven years, too.
But first, let's celebrate this one, which will see the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers compete Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
"This is going to be hopefully the best Super Bowl we've seen," Dolphins vice chairman, president and CEO Tom Garfinkel said Monday during a news conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center to kick off the festivities. "The only one that's going to be better will be the next one the Miami Dolphins are playing in."
Although South Florida's NFL team may not be in the big game, the Dolphins will be a part of the Super Bowl's grand showcase.
Members of the Miami Super Bowl committee Monday praised team owner Steve Ross for investing at least $700 million to renovate into the entertainment complex in Miami Gardens.
Along with hosting its 11th Super Bowl, Hard Rock Stadium has hosted many diverse sports and entertainment events like concerts and festivals, international soccer, tennis, college football semifinal and national title games, and hopes to host a Formula One race in the future.
"I think we're the only place in the world where you can see Roger Federer, Patrick Mahomes, Jay Z and (Lionel) Messi in the same building," Garfinkel said.
"The way it has been transformed and the way it will come to live on game day, it is looking beautiful and that's a product of the incredible work and investment made by Mr. Ross and the Dolphins organization," add Peter O'Reilly, executive vice president for club business and league events for the NFL.
If the Super Bowl logistics run smoothly this week, Miami Super Bowl Committee chairman Rodney Barreto is hopeful South Florida will host another as early as in 2025, with 2027 being the next earliest option.
Barreto has already signed paperwork with the NFL, putting South Florida up for Super Bowls in each year from 2025-30. After this Super Bowl, the next four Super Bowls will be played in Tampa (2021), Los Angeles (2022), Arizona (2023) and New Orleans (2024).
Many around the NFL believe Las Vegas, which will open a new stadium during the 2020 season, is the early favorite to host the Super Bowl in 2025.
With Miami in the running to be among 10 of 17 American cities selected to host games during the 2026 World Cup, having both events at Hard Rock Stadium would be too much of an undertaking.
Even though the 2020 Super Bowl will be the NFL's record-breaking 11th in South Florida, Barreto says the goal is to treat this experience like the first.
"We don't want to sit on our laurels," Barreto said. "We don't want to think the Super Bowl is going to come back just because it's in South Florida and Miami. We really want to show the NFL we're excited and doing different things."
Added Garfinkel: "We're trying to make this one the best we can. And we think if we can do that, we'll be in a position to get another one and make it bigger at that time."
South Florida has transformed tremendously since hosting its last Super Bowl in 2010, with the uprising of new areas like Wynwood and the advent of companies like Lyft, Uber, Airbnb contributing to the experience this time around.
The NFL also hopes events like the free Super Bowl LIVE fan fest at Bayfront Park, the Super Bowl Experience at the Miami Beach Convention Center (where tickets range from $20-50), and the Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday, where both teams will be at Marlins Park, gives fans an opportunity to "touch and feel the Super Bowl, even if they can't be in Hard Rock Stadium on game day," O'Reilly said.
Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Gimenez said it was his goal since entering office in 2011 was to host another Super Bowl in the area.
Gimenez proudly boasted about the transformation Miami has seen since its last Super Bowl, and he is hopeful for the next Super Bowl in the area, too.
"The winners are going to be the people of Miami-Dade County and this community because of the all the economic impact this game brings to our community."
Game officials also hope the Super Bowl environment _ filled with South Florida's vibrant and diverse enthusiasm for sports, music, art, food, fashion and life _ will produce a resounding finale to the NFL's 100th season.
"We're thrilled to kick off the week, thrilled to be here in Miami, and thrilled to culminate our 100th season here. We're excited for what's ahead," O'Reilly said.
