The Seahawks and Patriots will meet in the battle of the Mikes
US economy to face $6.8bn hit the day after Super Bowl LX as 23 million workers play hooky
Super Bowl Hangover Could Cost the U.S. Economy Billions
The Super Bowl is a celebration like no other in American sport, but the morning after can come with a steep economic price. According to new research from data experts at BetVictor Casino, nearly 23 million workers across the United States are projected to miss work on the Monday following Super Bowl LX. The estimated financial fallout is staggering, with up to $6.8 billion potentially lost to the U.S. economy in a single day.
The research projects that 22,958,880 employees will fail to show up for work after the Super Bowl. Using the national average hourly wage of $37.02, that level of absenteeism translates into a possible $6,779,501,900.80 in lost productivity and earnings. The so-called “Super Bowl hangover” remains one of the most predictable unofficial holidays in the American calendar.
Boston and Seattle Lead the Absentee Surge
With the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks advancing to the Super Bowl on February 8, the impact is expected to be even more concentrated in those regions. It has been seven years since either team reached the game, and the matchup marks a repeat of the 2015 game, adding to the emotional investment for fans.
Workers in the Boston and Seattle metropolitan areas are projected to be twice as likely to miss work compared to the national average. Research suggests that 28% of the workforce in those cities could be absent on Monday. That would result in a combined total of 1,381,408 no-shows, including 776,104 in Boston and 605,304 in Seattle.
Elsewhere in the country, the expected absentee rate sits at 14% of the total workforce. Among NFL cities, New York City is projected to record the highest number of absentees, with 1,424,052 workers potentially missing work. At the other end of the scale is Green Bay, where just 25,984 no-shows are expected.
Lost Wages Add Up Quickly
The financial impact on individual fan bases is significant. Patriots and Seahawks fans alone are projected to miss out on a combined total of $1,674,424,944 in lost earnings. Boston accounts for the larger share, with up to $927,998,640 in potential lost wages, while Seattle fans could lose around $746,426,304.
Despite not having a team in the Super Bowl, New York City stands to lose the most overall. If 14% of the workforce fails to show up, lost earnings in the Big Apple could reach $3,307,869,360. In fact, all but one of the 29 NFL cities are projected to suffer at least $100 million in lost earnings, with Green Bay again the lone exception at $42.9 million.
How the Numbers Were Calculated
The projections are based on total workforce figures and average wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Absentee rates were informed by research from the UKG Workforce Institute, which shows Super Bowl host and participant cities experience significantly higher unplanned absences. Metropolitan Statistical Areas were used to estimate city-by-city impacts.
The Super Bowl may crown a champion on Sunday night, but by Monday morning, the economic cost of celebration and commiseration is felt nationwide.
