SAN FRANCISO (KGO) — For years, San Francisco has battled a global reputation problem – but Super Bowl LX may have offered the city a rare PR win, as many visitors walked away with a far more positive impression than expected.
ABC7 Eyewitness News spoke with tourists in Union Square to get a sense of how fans were experiencing Super Bowl week. Many said they felt safe and praised the city’s police and security presence.
Visitors also celebrated the weather, with one saying they weren’t eager to return to “5-degree weather” back home.
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Praise wasn’t limited to out of town fans. Sports commentator Pat McAfee highlighted how walkable and welcoming the city felt during Super Bowl week. NFL players shared similar sentiments with ABC7, applauding the weather, food, and overall experience.
Mayor Daniel Lurie said he’s been hearing overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors, noting that the city felt busy, vibrant, and alive.
He told ABC7 that event organizers “from the commissioner on down” praised how well San Francisco hosted the week’s festivities.
Looking ahead, city leaders say the momentum won’t stop here. The upcoming World Cup will bring another round of international visitors – and another test of the city’s long-term improvements.
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