That’s different to previous Super Bowls, as cities hosting the year’s biggest sporting event have always imposed traffic restrictions preventing Uber – and others offering a similar service – from driving up close to the stadiums to drop off and pick up passengers.
This year, however, Uber has scored a deal with the Super Bowl Host Committee offering services worth up to a whopping $500,000, according to Quartz. The committee essentially works to ensure the day runs smoothly, overseeing a range of matters that includes transportation, which explains why Uber cars will be tootling to and from the stadium before and after the big game next month.
In an effort to keep the traffic flowing, Uber has reportedly been given its own pickup and drop-off areas outside Levi’s Stadium, which happens to be just 40 miles from the company’s headquarters in San Francisco.
Uber’s Laura Zapata told Quartz the deal is “a great way for us to celebrate our home city.”
Local drivers for rival services like Lyft, however, will be left sitting on the sidelines as they won’t have permission to take riders close to the game in Santa Clara. Still, with so many Uber workers focusing on stadium trips, there should be plenty of alternative rides available for others in the ride-hailing game – people have to get to their Super Bowl parties, after all.
Super Bowl 50 takes place on February 7.
