*Eden Prairie, MN* (April 1, 2014) – Following two months of extensive collaboration, Minnesota's Super Bowl Bid Committee submitted to the NFL today the state's preliminary bid to host Super Bowl LII in 2018. 

A culmination of collaborative work by the Minnesota Super Bowl Steering Committee and the state's corporate and civic leadership, the preliminary bid submission includes hundreds of pages covering all aspects of Super Bowl Week – event venue options, transportation and parking, lodging, security procedures, team practice sites and more. Highlights from the bid include the following:

• More than 180 hotels from throughout the region worked with the committee to secure over 19,000 hotel rooms.
• 48 different venue options throughout Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Paul were identified for potential use during Super Bowl Week.
• Practice sites for the two competing teams were covered in great detail.
• A letter of support was authored and signed by Governor Mark Dayton and Republican and Democratic legislative leaders.

"Submitting this bid was a tremendous task that involved multiple individuals and organizations in Minnesota," said Super Bowl Bid Committee Co-Chair and U.S. Bank CEO Richard Davis. "This level of collaboration allowed us to produce a comprehensive bid that accurately reflects the excellent attributes of our region. Today, we put Minnesota's best foot forward, and we feel extremely good about our bid." \

"This new stadium is being built to attract and host major events, some that will bring more than 100,000 visitors to fill our hotels and restaurants and to shop in our stores," said Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen. "Events like the Super Bowl provide national and international exposure to Minnesota as a place to live, work and do business. We hope this will be just one example of the many economic benefits the stadium will provide our great state." 

"The potential benefits of hosting the 2018 Super Bowl are understood by so many of the organizations and businesses in this region, and many are a part of this bid," said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant. "The collaboration and support shown so far have been more than we could have asked for. This has been an affirmation of our decision to compete for this opportunity."

Members of the Minnesota Super Bowl Bid Committee will meet with NFL staff in New York City later this month to zero in on bid details and respond to the questions in the draft bid documents. Following those meetings, the committee will submit its final bid on May 7, 2014, and just two weeks later, will make an oral presentation to all 32 NFL owners during the NFL Owners Meetings in Atlanta (May 19-21, 2014). The final host selection for the game on February 4, 2018, will take place at that time.

"The effort from the bid committee, as well as from Minnesota's business and community leadership, has been nothing short of outstanding," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. "NFL owners will greatly enjoy this community's hospitality, venues and energy. Minnesota will deliver an outstanding Super Bowl in 2018."

SUPER BOWL EVENTS

The Minnesota Super Bowl Draft Bid includes potential venues throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington for the following required NFL events during Super Bowl Week:

• Super Bowl Boulevard: An interactive football-themed event will be the hub of social and entertainment activity the week before the game for fans in celebration of the Super Bowl. It will include activities such as concerts and other entertainment experiences, and serve as a magnet to draw visitors, fans and local residents in for a centralized fan experience.

• NFL Experience: The NFL's interactive football theme park, hosting 150,000 fans over two weekends. The Minneapolis Convention Center is a likely venue for this event, which was held in this very venue for the first time during the 1992 Super Bowl held in Minnesota. People who do not have the opportunity to attend the game can attend this event to get a feel for the game and the excitement of the NFL.

• NFL Tailgate Party: A pre-game party for up to 10,000 invited NFL guests within walking distance to the stadium.

• NFL Honors: A televised event where the NFL salutes its best players and plays. This two-hour primetime special airs nationally and features live performances and player appearances.

• NFL House: Exclusive members-only hospitality experience for people such as team owners and sponsors where they can drop in, hold meetings, conduct business functions or other needs during the week.

• NFL Friday Night Party: A business party for approximately 1,200-1,400 invited NFL guests at a site that is unique to the region.

• NFL On Location Hospitality: The NFL's official source for business-to-business and fan event experiences, hospitality and travel programs. Visitors with special ticket packages can spend time prior to the game at this event within walking proximity of the stadium.

• Media Day: Approximately 1,500 members of the media, 7,000 fans and both teams participate in this media event.

• Super Bowl Legacy Grant: The NFL intends to leave a legacy to youth in the Super Bowl host community by donating funds that are matched by the Host Community. The grant(s) are announced during Super Bowl Week.

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