Michael Irvin demands NFL ban Super Bowl from Bay Area
Former NFL wide receiver Michael Irvin is not known for being subtle, and he made his thoughts on Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara loud and clear.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin did not hold back when reflecting on Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area.
Why Michael Irvin says Super Bowl LX was the “worst” ever
In a fiery post-game rant on his YouTube channel, the former Dallas Cowboys star called this year’s championship game the “worst” Super Bowl he has ever attended, not because of the on-field result, but because of the host city experience surrounding the game at Levi’s Stadium.
“This was a horrible Super Bowl,” Irvin said. “They should never ever, ever, ever bring the Super Bowl back to San Francisco. In all the years of going to a Super Bowl, this was the worst.”
Irvin described the week leading up to the game as underwhelming, repeatedly using the word “blah” to characterize the atmosphere.
“It was blah in the city. It just wasn’t jumping,” Irvin said. “The people, blah. The buildings looked blah. When you go into an event it was blah. I’m thinking there should be so much money out here because the tech is out here, but it all looked so blah.”
The Super Bowl itself - a 29-13 victory by the Seattle Seahawks over the New England Patriots - also failed to impress him. But Irvin made clear his frustration centered more on logistics and energy than the final score.
Michael Irvin on the Super Bowl played in Santa Clara:
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) February 18, 2026
“This was a horrible Super Bowl. They should never ever, ever, ever bring the Super Bowl back to San Francisco. In all the years of going to a Super Bowl, this was the worst. It was blah in the city. It just wasn’t jumping.… pic.twitter.com/XVwC9dlkfF
He criticized traffic congestion and road closures around downtown San Francisco, particularly near Radio Row at Moscone Center, saying it was nearly impossible to move around the city efficiently.
“Literally, you could not go anywhere on the streets,” he said. “It took forever to get right down the street because traffic was so bad.”
A complicated NFL-Bay Area relationship
Super Bowl LX was technically hosted in Santa Clara, roughly 40 miles from downtown San Francisco, creating a split between the stadium and many of the week’s marquee events. That logistical separation has drawn mixed reviews from media members and fans alike. Irvin ultimately doubled down on his stance.
“NFL, you cannot come back here again,” he said. “You cannot have a Super Bowl back here again. NFC Championship game, if they earned it, okay.”
While Irvin’s comments have circulated widely on social media, reactions have been divided. Some attendees praised the week’s fan events and high-profile parties, while others echoed concerns about traffic and the spread-out footprint of festivities.
The NFL has already slated upcoming Super Bowls for Los Angeles and Atlanta, and the Bay Area is not currently in the immediate rotation. But when a Hall of Famer with three Super Bowl rings speaks this bluntly, it’s bound to spark debate. Whether or not the league listens is another story.
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