Super Bowl XLIII Schedule of Events

What once began as a simple football game broadcast on several networks at the same time has mushroomed into the pinnacle of American sports entertainment. The Super Bowl now encompasses a full two weeks of media hype and a full week of events in and around the Tampa area. Luckily, the NFL decided to go with a warm weather site this year (sorry, Detroit), which is good since the rest of the country is currently in a deep freeze. Without further ado, here are just a few of the incredible events you can attend in the build up to the big game.

January 24-25 & 29-31 - The NFL Experience: Next door to Raymond James Stadium, enjoy this ever-growing interactive NFL fanfest experience. Meet former players, toss around a football, try your hand at field goals and dozens of other events for the whole family. Tickets are $18.50 for adults and $12.50 for kids.

Wednesday, January 28 - Super Hyde Park Music Festival for Charity: Live music and beautiful surroundings will greet you at this fundraising concert in one of Tampa's most scenic areas. All money raised from beverage sales will go to a local NFL charity that helps children in need. This event is a great way to start off your Super Bowl weekend and help some kids in need, too.

Thursday, January 29- The blu Kick Off Event at the Tampa Aquarium: Always the hottest and most exclusive ticket of Super Bowl weekend, this black tie dinner is always packed with NFL Hall of Famers, Hollywood celebrities and even current coaches and players. You may have to know someone to get in here, but if you can score a ticket, it will be a night you won't ever forget.

January 29 - The NFL Experience After Dark: This adults only event turns the NFL Experience into an adult's only nightclub featuring star DJs and fun all evening long, starting at 9pm and going until midnight. Tickets are only $10 and can be bought prior to the event starting at the NFL Experience ticket window.

Thursday, January 29 & Friday, January 30 - The Pepsi Concert Series: Held at the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa, these two concerts are affordable ($20 tickets to start) and fun. Enjoy both Latin music and top 40 hits from some of today's best known artists.

Friday, January 30 - The NFL Gospel Dinner: This night of music, prayer, dancing and incredible food is a once and a lifetime experience often attended by current and former NFL stars, Hollywood A-listers and other top flight entertainment. Tickets are $35-$75 and is held at the Sundome on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Saturday, January 31 - Celebrity Beach Bowl Flag Football Game: If you missed the Hall of Fame football careers of some of the league's best players, you can catch glimpses of their former glory at Progress Energy Park in St. Pete. This game evolved from the beach football game that used to be played with current NFL players until Patriots running back Robert Edwards destroyed his knee a few years back. You won't find any tackling here, but you will find an afternoon of fun.

Saturday, January 31 - The Taste of the NFL: If you really have some money to throw around, a $500 ticket will get you into Tropicana Field for the Taste of the NFL event. This food and wine tasting extravaganza is one of the most popular events of the weekend as gourmet chefs dazzle those in attendance with incredible dishes and wine parings to match.

 

For more information on Super Bowl Week in Tampa, check out our Fan's Guide to the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

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