What happens if it rains during the Super Bowl? NFL rules for extreme weather
The NFL stops for almost nothing, but the league does have its limits where weather is concerned. There’s just one thing that could stop Super Bowl LX.
Football has long had a reputation as one of the toughest sports out there. And it’s not just because of the hits, collisions, and physical punishment players take every week. The sport’s tolerance for bad weather has also played a big role in that image.
Rain or snow won’t stop the NFL
The NFL sets a much higher bar than most leagues when it comes to postponing or suspending games due to weather. Heavy rain, poor field conditions, or even snowfall usually aren’t enough to bring a game to a halt.
We love a snow game 🤩 pic.twitter.com/BabwCePTix
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) January 25, 2026
In fact, rather than avoiding bad weather, the league prides itself on adapting to it. That mindset has become part of football culture, with fans often bragging about the toughness required to play the game. Footballs are designed to provide grip in almost any condition, and most stadiums are equipped with advanced drainage systems, and in many cases, heating beneath the turf, to keep the field playable.
That said, there are limits. While it’s common to see games played during cold-weather advisories or on muddy fields after heavy rain, the NFL does have strict protocols that require games to stop immediately under certain conditions.
Those rules aren’t unique to football. They’re also followed in other major U.S. sports leagues like MLS and MLB. The policy states: if lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium, play is automatically suspended. A 30-minute clock then begins from the moment of the last lightning strike. If no additional lightning is detected during that window, the game can resume. If delays continue, officials have the authority to suspend the game entirely.
A reminder ahead of Super Bowl LX
It’s worth noting that Super Bowl LX will be played this year at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, an open-air venue where weather could factor into the game. The most recent NFL game to be suspended due to weather was the Dallas Cowboys–Philadelphia Eagles game in the 2025 season opener, which was halted because of lightning activity.
With lightning in the area of Lincoln Financial Field, the Cowboys-Eagles game has been delayed. pic.twitter.com/Mjm9DJbl5r
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 5, 2025
Weather-related stoppages have also become more common on the international stage. During the 2025 Club World Cup held in the United States, a FIFA tournament record was set when six matches were suspended due to lightning storms.
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