Protecting the Big Game: A Threat Assessment for Super Bowl LIX

Just a month following the tragic terrorist attack in New Orleans over New Years, the city will once again draw large crowds for Super Bowl LIX on February 9th, 2025. The game, held at the Ceasars Superdome, will feature the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, with hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar headlining the halftime show. With the announced attendance of President Trump, security concerns are paramount.

Potential Physical Threats

Terrorist and Extremist Threats

Flashpoint has not identified any direct threats to Super Bowl LIX or its attendees from violent extremists or terrorist groups at this time. However, the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans has significantly heightened awareness in the city. Security measures for Super Bowl LIX have been substantially increased with significant law enforcement presence, deployment of SWAT teams and armored vehicles, and close coordination with the Secret Service to ensure the President’s and general public’s safety.

Layered security protocols, strict access control points, and thorough screening procedures will be in place throughout the Superdome and surrounding areas. Motorcade routes have been meticulously planned, secure zones established, and close protection details have been assigned, all informed by up-to-the-minute intelligence. Contingency plans for emergency evacuations are also in place.

Protests

At the time of publishing, Flashpoint has not identified any specific planned protests targeting Super Bowl LIX. This contrasts with last year’s Super Bowl where our analysts identified significant online chatter advocating for protests in solidarity with various causes, including protests against the Kansas City Chiefs organization regarding their team name.

However, the absence of currently identified planned protests for LIX does not preclude the possibility of spontaneous demonstrations or actions by single-issue groups. Given the President’s attendance, the potential for protests specifically targeting his presence or policies remains a real possibility.

Cybersecurity Considerations

At this time, Flashpoint has not observed any specific cyber threats toward Super Bowl LIX. Despite the absence of overt threats, it is still possible that threat actors could seek to obtain personal information, including financial and credit card details, through scams, malware, or hacking operations. This was seen earlier in January when the online store of the Green Bay Packers was hacked, exposing customers’ financial details. Previous cyber events also include the February 2022 “BlackByte” ransomware attack that targeted the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LIV.

Online Sentiment

Flashpoint is currently monitoring online sentiment ahead of Super Bowl LIX. At the time of publishing, sentiment analysis via Echosec reveals that the online chatter regarding the event is generally positive, with widespread anticipation and excitement.

Mitigation Strategies and Executive Protection

Given the lack of specific identified threats, mitigation strategies for any key personnel attending Super Bowl LIX focus on general best practices. Security teams tasked with executive protection should remove any sensitive information online, monitor open source channels, and set up targeted alerts for any possible threats. Furthermore, physical security teams and key personnel should familiarize themselves with emergency exits, nearby medical stations, and law enforcement facilities.

The nearest medical and law enforcement facilities are:

• First aid stations in Caesars Superdome
  • Ground level: Locker Room #4
  • Plaza level: Section 133
  • Loge level: Section 277
  • Terrace level: Section 505
• Hostpitals
  • University Medical Center New Orleans, LCMC Health
  • East Jefferson General Hospital, LCMC Health
• Law enforcement
  • 1st Police District
  • 6th Police District
  • 8th Police District

Stay Safe Using Flashpoint

Although there are no indications of any credible, immediate threats to Super Bowl LIX or attendees at this time, it is imperative to be vigilant and prepared. Protecting key personnel in today’s threat environment requires a multi-faceted approach. To effectively bridge the gap between online and offline threats, organizations must adopt a comprehensive strategy that incorporates open source intelligence (OSINT) and physical security measures. Download Flashpoint’s Physical Safety Event Checklist to learn more.