Santa Clara

Massive Crowd Fills Super Bowl City to Capacity, Prompt Closure of Gates

The festivities at Super Bowl City on Saturday ended on a high note for some, but, for others, not so much.

All day, thousands of people filed into the venue that has served as the official home for all things Super Bowl for a week scouring for a good spot to watch Alicia Keys perform in Justin Herman Plaza.

However, much like Friday, Super Bowl City hit maximum capacity, forcing officials to turn people away and close all the entry gates to the event.

"That's why I came here early," Quiana Easter chortled. "That's why I got here at 9:30 a.m."

The festivities at Super Bowl City on Saturday ended on a high note for some, but others were less pleased. Christie Smith reports.

As of 4:42 p.m., all gates to Super Bowl City, but the main gate on Market Street between Main and Beale streets, were closed, spokesman PJ Johnston said. Officials blocked the main gate around 5:15 p.m.

"The crowds are just enormous today and we have to be guided by safety," Johnston said.

On Sunday, the focus shifts to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara where the Denver Broncos will face off against the Carolina Panthers in the NFL’s big extravaganza.

"It's just awesome to be here to see them at the Super Bowl!" Panthers fan Carla Leonard enthused.

Leanord's son Michael, who serves in the Air Force, surprised her with tickets to Super Bowl 50.

"It's a dream come true and I had to share it with the person who brought me up from the beginning," he said.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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