The NFL's official hospitality partner began selling ticket packages to the general public Wednesday for Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.
Each package from On Location Experiences bundles a game ticket with other benefits, such as access to a party at the Georgia World Congress Center before the game, access to in-stadium clubs during the game and even access to the field for the trophy presentation after the game.
The prices, as previously reported, may induce sticker shock, ranging from $5,000 to $17,500, depending on seat location and level of perks attached.
The $17,500 packages include lower-bowl club seats on the 50-yard line, while the $5,000 packages include upper-level end-zone seats. Seat locations throughout Mercedes-Benz Stadium are available for the Feb. 3 game at varying prices.
> See full story here: Super Bowl ticket packages offer luxury – at a price.
* * *
Philips Arena has been closed since April 22 for the last and largest phase of construction on the building's makeover. The arena won't reopen until the start of the Hawks season in the fall.
But the Hawks organization will conduct media tours of the ongoing construction project today, showing the state of progress on the $192.5 million roofline-to-baseline transformation.
> Check back later today for a story and photos from the tour.
> Recent story: Hawks remove and recycle 12,500 Philips Arena seats.
* * *
The NFL today will wrap up four busy days of Super Bowl planning meetings in downtown Atlanta.
Some 200 staffers and vendors representing the league have been in town since Monday, holding meetings about all aspects of the mega-event, from public safety to television coverage.
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s senior vice president of events, said the league is pleased with where plans stand about eight months before the game.
> See full story here: Plans coming into focus for Atlanta’s Super Bowl.
* * *
TODAY’S LEADOFF LINKS
> Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian knows the Falcons' offense has many issues to fix. Read D. Orlando Ledbetter's story here.
> The Braves once preferred Tristan Beck to Mike Soroka. Now they have both. See Gabe Burns' story here.
> Auburn extended Bruce Pearl's contract – a troubling sign of the times in college basketball, Mark Bradley writes.
