Super Bowl LIX is less than two weeks away. Defending champs, the Kansas City Chiefs, take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a matchup that is expected to be watched by a record number of people.
According to survey data from the National Retail Federation (NRF), a record 203.4 million adults in the U.S. plan to watch the Super Bowl this year. And that’s not the only record predicted to happen. The NRF also reports that total spending on Super Bowl-related purchases is expected to hit $18.6 billion ($91.58 per person) — compared to $17.3 billion in 2024, which was also a record-breaking year.
Source: National Retail Federation
It’s no surprise that perishable items will make up the majority of consumers’ spending around the Super Bowl. The NRF survey shows that 81 percent of those who plan to watch, expect to purchase food and drinks for game time.
Other Super Bowl spending categories include:
- Team apparel (14 percent)
- TVs (10 percent)
- Decorations (8 percent)
- Furniture (6 percent)
Let’s focus on TVs.
TV Sales Around the Super Bowl
Did you know? The Super Bowl is one of the best times of year to buy a new TV. NerdWallet reports that the top three periods are:
- Super Bowl season (January and February)
- During the annual spring TV release cycle (when new models are introduced)
- Black Friday
And, as Retail Insider puts it, “People buy a lot of TVs the week before the Super Bowl.” Given that the game date varies year-to-year — always held on the second Sunday of February — that buyer bubble typically lands somewhere on the cusp of late-January to early-February each year.
Two Reasons Consumers Purchase TVs for the Super Bowl
Unless you shelled out anywhere from $4,800 to $525,000 for a ticket to the Super Bowl, chances are you’re watching on TV. The obvious aside, here are the two main reasons for new TV purchases around the big game.
- A higher quality TV equals a better viewing experience.
- Advertised Super Bowl sales help to boost demand.
The latter is somewhat of a chicken-egg situation, yet, for electronics dealers, advertising a Super Bowl sale can be a major benefit. Not only is it a way for retailers to get rid of older models and make room for new spring product, but it can also offer a boost in what might otherwise be a post-holiday slump.
“The Super Bowl is an ideal event to highlight TVs, especially those with larger screens. Also, current TV models have been out for nearly a year by February, so there’s been a natural decrease in price,” says Jim Willcox, multimedia content specialist at Consumer Reports, shared via Statistica.
Whether you’re personally in market for a TV or your business sells them, take advantage.
And now for the all-important question: Chiefs or Eagles?
