The Magic Behind Super Bowl Stadium Preparation

The biggest party on the planet is coming Sunday, Feb. 1, and Comcast NBCUniversal is heavily involved in the preparations.

Global Spectrum, a Comcast-Spectator subsidiary, manages venues around the world, including the setting for Super Bowl XLIX: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Home to the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL, and known for its retractable roof and field, University of Phoenix Stadium is widely considered one of the most technologically advanced venues in the world.

Global Spectrum is tasked with making sure football goes off without a hitch for the venue’s primary tenant, the Cardinals, but also to program unique events throughout the year, including next year’s NCAA football championship game, concerts, trade and consumer shows, corporate events and special occasions of all kinds. The upcoming Super Bowl took Global Spectrum over a year-and-a-half of preparation, building up to both the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl weekends, where Global Spectrum will oversee system and mechanical maintenance, security management and serve an advisory role to NFL stadium officials.

Watch time-lapse footage of Super Bowl XLII (2008) in the player above, which marked the last time University of Phoenix Stadium hosted the NFL championship game.

Photo: AP Images