The countdown to Super Bowl LVIII is well underway and so are the finishing touches on all that goes with it. From the singing of the National Anthem and the much-anticipated halftime show by Usher, to the two-minute warning and the infamous Gatorade bath, this year’s Super Bowl experience isn’t over after the game ends.
Whether you’re rooting for the team in red, white, and gold, OR for the team in red, white, and gold, fans of the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs will be treated to a history-making light show that promises to dazzle when seen through both happy tears and sad.
Visit Newport Beach (VNB) knows that fans of the Niners and the Chiefs deserve a vacation after all their dedication during this exciting season of “Swelce” and George Kittle’s hair.
(Anyone else agree that The Monday After should be a national holiday?)
That’s why, in partnership with Cox Media and Skyworx, VNB has created “Touchdown in Newport Beach”, a spectacular 12-minute light show, featuring 1,000 drones bringing Newport Beach to Las Vegas.
“Newport Beach wants to extend a warm welcome for fans to come and visit us post-game,” said Ashley Johnson, CMO of Visit Newport Beach.
For 12 magic minutes, Touchdown in Newport will wow viewers who, while gazing at the night sky, will feel the sun on their faces and smell the suntan lotion. The light show is so vibrant, some viewers may feel compelled to grab a boogie board and run, slow-motion-Bay-Watch style, into the ocean. VNB hopes to inspire football fans to wash off that game-day face paint and hop the 38-minute flight to John Wayne Airport for some laid-back beach fun.
As if the show isn’t already a groundbreaking blend of advertisement, entertainment, and technology, “Touchdown in Newport Beach” will include an opportunity for a lucky fan to win a once-in-a-lifetime visit.
During the light show, viewers at the stadium as well as those watching the livestream from home on YurView will be prompted to pull out their phones and scan a QR code in the sky. This will enter them to win a trip to dreamy, idyllic Newport Beach. With hiking, biking, and golfing easily accessible, there’s something for everyone in Newport Beach.
“We have 10 different neighborhoods each with its own vibe,” Johnson said. “We have more than 400 restaurants — and most people don’t know this, but we have more water than land. With one of the largest recreational harbors on the West Coast, we always encourage guests to explore Newport Beach from the water.”
Visitors can also take advantage of unique experiences like a Dock and Dine. An elevated pub crawl, travelers can charter a boat, sail to a restaurant, tie up, and order, then wash-rinse-repeat. For those with a sweet tooth, SusieCakes is worth a stop, especially since they made Taylor Swift cupcakes during The Eras Tour. Sure, it’s not the same as a live celebrity sighting, but you never know who you might see in Newport Beach given its proximity to Los Angeles, about one hour north.
And of course, Newport Beach is known for its white sand beaches and glittering ocean. If there’s a better place for football fans to frolic in celebration or add tears of loss to the ocean, we can’t think of where that might be.
When the lights go down in Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, February 11, tune into YurView and watch the show. And for information on Newport Beach, visit TouchdowninNewportBeach.com and follow @VisitNewportBeach on social media.
Until then: May the team in red, white, and gold prevail.
