No expense spared as $180 Super Bowl XL burgers, big money cocktails and one-off oysters leave NFL stars stunned

This is not just any burger, as the famous saying goes.

This is a $180, 3lb Super Bowl LX sharing burger made for four – although the hospitality staff at Levi’s Stadium are expecting a few brave souls to attempt it themselves.

Paul Prenderville Talskport

Paul Prenderville Talskport

On Sunday, a lucky 65,000 will be at the $1.3billion home of the 49ers for Super Bowl 60 and they’ll do so with a super sized menu fit for a Super Bowl.

But it comes in at quite a price.

The start of a two-year run of the biggest events on the sporting calendar coming to California begins when the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks face off in Santa Clara.

The home of the Niners – actually in Santa Clara – will also host five games at the 2026 World Cup later this year, while next year’s Super Bowl is a mere 381 mile drive down the Pacific Coast to Los Angeles.

And then another 18 months on the Olympics will be in Hollywood to round off arguably the most spectacular run of the world’s biggest event, all in the same state.

But right now, the eyes of the world are on the Super Bowl.

On the menu for those in attendance are the usual array of beers, hot dogs, burgers, popcorn and more but if we’ve learned anything over the last few years – there’s always a more Super Bowl feel to proceedings.

Away from the chaos of the Media Center, one hour along the picturesque San Francisco Bay on Route 101 – usually double in traffic – is Levi’s Stadium.

Planning for the Super Bowl began more than two years ago – from locations across the Bay Area and temporary structures in the stands for media to 80,000 square feet of grass being specially grown for the game day field.

On Sunday the area hosts just it’s third Super Bowl and it’s first since 2016.

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Paul Prenderville Talskport

The NFL do a great job of keeping the press pack moving and fed but there’s only so much yoghurt, pastries, pretzels, chicken wings and excellent Melbourne coffee on which a writer can survive.

So Wednesday’s media opportunity saw all manner of writers, TV crews, food bloggers and travel writers huddle excitedly on Howard Street for the 8.30am bus trip to the Stadium.

While the field crew were starting the final stages of preparations for the playing surface, the NFL’s Events team hosted a food and beverage experience, designed to highlight exactly what hungry and thirsty fans will have at their disposal.

But also what the Bay Area has to offer, as the NFL and partners Levy showcase the area with a menu of spectacular highlights that bring San Francisco, Point Reyes, San Jose, and more to those in attendance.

For those who have already super-sized their experience with a ticket upwards of $45,000 on the 50-yard line yard, behind the benches there is plenty to keep your stomach full.

Including freshly shucked oysters, and four figure bottles of wines to make a suite ticket worthwhile — and steak frites with au poivre and char siu pork hot dogs in the regular stands.

Paul Prenderville Talskport

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The crowning glory, is the Super Bowl XL burger, described as a colossal braised bone-in-beef shank with roasted mire poix demi and Point Reyes blue fondue.

That’s available to all, in club and concession seats and it really is the Bay Area in a very pricey housebaked brioche bun – take my word for it.

Fan in the (not so) cheapest seats are likely to have still splashed out a minimum of $3,500, while most expensive seats in the stadium are the luxury suites – the most pricey coming in at $3million for the full exclusive treatment.

Paul Prenderville Talskport

Last year in New Orleans, crawfish, gumbo and fried oyster Po-Boys were among a mouthwatering menu as the Superdome feasted.

Twelve months on, it’s another spectacular showcase of the local area – this time the California coastline.

Showcasing the area was a constant message throughout the experience – it’s crucial to the NFL when wanting to give the Super Bowl host city it’s ‘stage to shine’.

The West Coast has a lot to show off about and a two-year run for the ages that two year run is just getting started.

Time to party, Super Bowl style.

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