Each year, the Super Bowl represents one of the most complex security operations in the United States. Tens of thousands of fans gather in a single venue, millions travel domestically, and more than 100 million viewers tune in across broadcast, streaming, and mobile platforms, making it one of the most visible live events in the country.

This year, however, the security environment surrounding the Super Bowl is markedly different. Social polarization, geopolitical instability, and the growing convergence of online and real-world threats have created a risk landscape that is more volatile than in previous years. While the NFL and law enforcement agencies remain exceptionally well prepared, the threat profile facing Super Bowl LX reflects broader shifts now confronting large organizations everywhere: cyber, physical, and influence-driven risks are no longer distinct challenges, but interlocking ones.

For security leaders, the Super Bowl offers a real-world case study in how modern threats are identified, assessed, and mitigated at scale.

Why This Year’s Risk Profile Is Elevated

Major events have always attracted attention from opportunistic criminals, activists and threat actors seeking visibility. What has changed is how quickly intent can escalate and how easily online activity can translate into real-world disruption.

Threat intelligence teams are seeing higher volumes of:

• Online rhetoric that moves rapidly from outrage to planning
• Coordinated digital activity designed to amplify disruption or fear
• Attempts to exploit the massive digital footprint of the event, from ticketing and streaming to betting platforms and stadium infrastructure

While none of this suggests inevitability of an incident, it does mean the baseline level of vigilance must be higher than in previous years.

Physical Threats: Visibility Is the Objective

From a physical security standpoint, the most likely risks are not large-scale attacks, but high-visibility disruptions.

These include:

• Protests or demonstrations including possible drones intended to delay access, interrupt the game, or dominate media coverage
• Disturbances within the stadium designed to go viral rather than cause mass harm
• Individuals attempting to breach restricted areas for notoriety or ideological signaling
• Breaches through loading docks, service entrances or underground tunnels

Although violent threats are assessed as lower probability, the broader political and social environment warrants sustained attention. Security planning therefore relies on layered controls such as perimeter security, crowd management, rapid response capabilities, and close coordination among local, state, and federal agencies.

Early detection is increasingly critical to identifying potential actors before they arrive on site.

Cyber Threats: The Most Likely Attack Vector

Cyber threats represent the highest-probability risk category surrounding the Super Bowl, both because of the event’s digital complexity and the relative ease of execution.

Common threat scenarios include:

• Attempts to steal fan or consumer data through phishing, fake ticketing sites, or compromised vendors
• Hacktivist efforts aimed at disrupting or hijacking websites and social media accounts associated with the league, teams, and key advertisers, as well as interfering with live-streaming platforms, stadium systems, and broadcast feeds.
• Sports-betting scams, fraud and account takeovers targeting fans and bettors at scale
• Disinformation or hoax threats designed to cause panic or divert security resources
• Sophisticated phishing campaigns using AI-generated personalized messages targeting VIPs, sponsors and high-value ticket holders

Many of these attacks are not technically sophisticated, but they don’t need to be. The sheer scale of the event means even low-effort campaigns can generate significant impact if not detected early.

The Role of AI and Continuous Monitoring

One of the most significant shifts in Super Bowl security planning, and in large-scale security operations more broadly, is the expanded use of AI-driven monitoring. AI enables security teams to operate at speed and scale, ingesting vast volumes of data, identifying patterns, and distinguishing credible threats from background noise before intent escalates into action. Earlier detection allows security postures to adjust dynamically rather than react after the fact.

Modern security programs now combine continuous monitoring of the public web, social media, messaging platforms, and dark web sources with behavioral analysis that correlates online activity to real-world indicators. This approach makes it possible to identify escalation patterns, such as changes in tone, increasing specificity, or signs of coordination across platforms, and to assess whether digital signals align with physical access, locations, or timing.

However, it is important to note that AI does not replace human judgment. Its effectiveness depends on experienced threat intelligence teams who interpret context, assess intent, and make decisions. Clear boundaries remain essential, with AI serving as a decision-support layer rather than an autonomous authority.

Lessons for Security Leaders Beyond the Super Bowl

While few organizations operate at Super Bowl scale, the lessons are widely applicable. The threat dynamics surrounding major events increasingly mirror those faced by large enterprises, critical infrastructure operators, and public venues year-round.

Modern security programs must assume:

• Threats will emerge online before manifesting physically
• Cyber and physical risks are increasingly intertwined
• Visibility and disruption are often the primary objectives, not destruction
• Early detection matters more than perfect prevention

Cyber, physical, legal, communications, and executive teams must operate from a common picture of risk as online activity, physical spaces, and public perception become increasingly interconnected. Organizations that invest in continuous monitoring, intelligence-led decision-making, and cross-functional coordination are better positioned to manage both routine operations and high-stakes moments.

For security leaders, the Super Bowl is not just a game, but a blueprint for how modern risk must be managed.