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Super Bowl Experience Transforms LA Convention Center into NFL Theme Park – Orange County Register

JamesMcGheeBy No Comments10 Mins Read
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Jim Watson cleans the NFL logo on a display of helmets during a media preview of the Super Bowl Experience Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at the LA Convention Center. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

LOS ANGELES — The Rams and Bengals helmets were centered on stage above a sign that read “Vince Lombardi Trophy.”

The amphitheater-shaped platform was almost complete, but missing was the trophy that will be presented to the winner of Super Bowl LVI next weekend at SoFi Stadium.

He is scheduled to arrive at 1 p.m. Saturday for opening day of the Super Bowl Experience at the LA Convention Center.

Members of the media didn’t have the pleasure of seeing the Lombardi Trophy Friday for a preview of the popular football fanfest, but all 55 Super Bowl rings were on display — one for each Super Bowl winning team — along with the Hall of Fame. fame. busts of John Madden, Peyton Manning and Junior Seau.

These unique items will attract the thousands of football fans expected to the South Hall of the Convention Center for the five-day event. But that won’t be enough to take a photo with the one and only Lombardi Trophy from the last Super Bowl. This reporter was told that the NFL does not make replica trophies.

“The line for the Lombardi Trophy will be up to three hours long,” said BZA PR’s Daniel Kitchen, who served as a tour guide during the Super Bowl Experience media preview. “I am not joking.”

There’s a lot of pressure on the FedEx driver transporting the Lombardi Trophy from Memphis to downtown Los Angeles, but he is expected to arrive on time, despite bad weather during the trip.

Rams legend Torry Holt is expected to receive the package and introduce the main attraction of the Super Bowl experience on the “Vince Lombardi Trophy” stage, which will be the first thing fans see when they walk through the concourse doors south.

Tickets for the first weekend of the Super Bowl Experience are $20 and children 12 and under are admitted free. Half-price tickets are available for military personnel and their families (veterans included) and fans who take the subway to the Convention Center.

The fan festival will resume Thursday, Friday and conclude Saturday, but tickets for the last three days will cost $40.

“We strongly encourage Angelenos to come early,” Kitchen said. “Avoid the long lines (next week) and the (higher) prices. It is less expensive. It will be more accessible this weekend.

For fans who decide to walk to the right of the Lombardi Stage, they will see the Wilson Football Factory, where they will guide fans through the step-by-step process of making NFL Super Bowl footballs.

A few steps away is the autograph stage, which will feature current and former players and coaches. Last year, fans were only allowed virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Autograph scheduling is top secret unless you download the NFL Onepass app, which will provide details on events and exhibitions.

Across from the autograph area is the NFL Draft Combine Zone, where fans can run the 40-yard dash against LED versions of New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry.

Louie G, a radio host for REAL 92.3, walked to his left as he entered the Super Bowl Experience and went 3 of 4 on his field goal attempts and demonstrated accuracy at the Hail Stand -Mary.

“That last one is pretty far,” said Louie G, who also serves as a public address announcer at SoFi Stadium for Chargers home games. “It’s a lot harder than everyone thinks when it comes to scoring a basket.”

Louie G was admiring Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert’s replica locker when he was informed of the Super Bowl rings from across the room.

“There’s so much to do here,” he says.

Another major attraction of the fan festival is a display of past Super Bowl halftime performers. Outfits from Prince, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Left Shark will be on display, as well as the light strip that The Weeknd made famous during his performance last year.

“It’s a big poster of what we’re about to get,” Louie G said, pointing to a poster of this year’s Super Bowl halftime performers Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar. “It’s going to be crazy. I just can’t wait.

There are many options for souvenirs and exhibits that fans can post on their Instagram and TikTok accounts. Just make sure you arrive early to take the photo with the Lombardi Trophy.

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