Super Bowl Sunday: Where to Watch the Big One

The biggest day of the year in football arrives Sunday—Super Bowl LI. An estimated 110 million people will tune in to watch the New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium in Houston, Tex., starting at 6 p.m. EST (kickoff is at 6:30). Sunday’s game marks the ninth time the Patriots have played in the Super Bowl since the first one on January 15, 1967—50 years ago.

If you weren’t lucky enough to score a ticket to the big game (prices started at more than $3,000 and are running north of $20,000), don’t worry. There are plenty of viewing parties on campus so you can cheer on your team and have a great night with classmates.

The stakes are especially high for the Patriots this year. Should they beat the Falcons, head coach Bill Belichick (Hon.’04) would become the all-time leader in Super Bowl victories as a coach, and Tom Brady the first quarterback in football history to win five championships.

Super Bowl Sunday has become one of American television’s biggest annual events, offering entertainment for football fans and for those who wouldn’t know a pigskin from a hockey puck. The halftime show—always a huge draw—will be headlined this year by Grammy-winner Lady Gaga. Broadway aficionados will want to tune in early to see Renee Elise Goldsberry, Phillipa Soo, and Jasmine Cephas Jones, the original Schuler sisters of the Tony-winning hit Hamilton, perform “America the Beautiful” before kickoff. And millions more will tune in less for the gridiron goings-on than for the slew of star-studded commercials, said to be costing advertisers $5.5 million for a 30-second spot.

So, since the best way to watch the game is with a group of friends and fans, head on over to the George Sherman Union, where Student Activities is hosting a campuswide viewing party beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Hungry Terriers can look forward to a spread of tailgate favorites, including chicken wings and nachos. They can also enter a traditional football square raffle for a chance to win big-ticket prizes, including a Bose wireless speaker, Patriots gear, and a flat-screen TV. The event is free to all students.

For the first time ever, the BU Pub is opening its doors on Super Bowl Sunday, starting at 5:30 p.m. BU faculty, staff, and students 21+ can enjoy an adult beverage while watching the game. There is no admission charge, and food and drinks can be purchased.

Smaller viewing parties will be held in some of the residence halls as well: Kilachand Hall first floor cinema room; 575 Commonwealth Avenue 575 Café; Warren Towers fourth floor cinema room; and Rich Hall first floor lounge. All begin at 6 p.m. except for 6:30 p.m. at 575 Commonwealth Ave. Free food and refreshments will be served, and the parties are open to all BU students with residence hall access.

Meet, enjoy, stay safe

“The first Sunday in February is, de facto, an unofficial American national holiday,” says Kenneth Elmore (SED’87), associate provost and dean of students. “We encourage you to join the festivities here, regardless of whom you’re cheering for. Meet up, enjoy the spectacle of Super Bowl Sunday, root for your team, and most important, stay safe.”

Because the hometown Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl this year, Kenmore Square will be shut down as a precautionary measure starting at the beginning of the third quarter and remain closed to pedestrians and traffic until the game is over. The MBTA will also close the Kenmore Square T station during that time. Trains will continue to pass through the station, but riders will not be allowed to board or disembark from trains. All city bars will stop admitting patrons at the start of the third quarter as well.

Because of the Super Bowl game, there will be a number of road closures Sunday night between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. and cancellation of the BUS (BU Shuttle) late night service. Commonwealth Avenue will be closed from the BU Bridge to Mass Ave in both directions. Brookline Avenue will be closed from Beacon Street to Pilgrim Road, except for garages and parking lots with no exit to another public way. All vehicles exiting should turn south towards Park Drive. Boylston Street will be closed from Pilgrim Road to Westland Avenue, and Ipswich Street will be closed from Boylston Street at Hemenway to Boylston Street at Park Drive. Other street closings: Landsdowne Street from Brookline Avenue to Ipswich Street; Van Ness Street from Ipswich Street to Yawkey Way and from Yawkey Way to Kilmarnock Street; and Yawkey Way from Boylston Street to Van Ness Street.

In short, best to avoid Kenmore Square altogether.

To safeguard the BU campus and the city of Boston during and after the Super Bowl, the BU Police Department and Boston Police Department will have extra patrols on duty. “This is to ensure that everyone is able to celebrate our anticipated Patriots’ win safely,” says Scott Paré, BUPD acting chief and BU executive director of public safety.

“We urge students to watch out for each other and stay together throughout the game and leave no Terrier behind at a party or bar,” Paré says. “Please be responsible and respectful of our neighbors.”

With that in mind, enjoy the game, stay safe, and Go Patriots!

The viewing party in the GSU’s Metcalf Ballroom begins at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, and lasts until the game’s end. Food and refreshments will be served. The party is free and open to all BU students.

The viewing party at the BU Pub begins at 5:30 p.m. and is open to students 21 and older. Admission is free and food and drinks are available for purchase.

Super Bowl celebrations will also be held at the following residence halls: Kilachand Hall, 6 p.m.; 575 Commonwealth Ave., 6:30 p.m.; Warren Towers, 6 p.m.; and Rich Hall, 6 p.m. Free food and refreshments will be served and parties are open to all BU students with residence hall access.

Connor Lenahan can be reached at lenahan@bu.edu.