The Department of Homeland Security, while working closely with other federal, state and local officials, is playing a crucial role to ensure safety and security for all players, and fans during Super Bowl LVII. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas visited Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona to inspect security operations, meet with law enforcement and emergency responders, and engage with National Football League (NFL) partners as the pregame week begins. 

“At the Department of Homeland Security, our core mission is to ensure the safety of the American public – including at special events like the Super Bowl. DHS is a department of partnerships, and our efforts here rely on our partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal, and campus agencies, and of course, the NFL,” says Secretary Mayorkas. “Dedicated DHS personnel are on the ground preparing and coordinating, and stand ready to provide operational and technical support to the NFL, State of Arizona, and the cities of Glendale and Phoenix to keep Super Bowl LVII safe and ensure everyone can enjoy the game.” 

NFL Senior Vice President of Security Cathy Lanier discusses Super Bowl security efforts with DHS Secretary Mayorkas.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas participates in NFL’s Public Safety Press Conference February 7, 2023 with Chief Cathy Lanier and other partners. (DHS Photo by Tia Dufour/Released)

DHS Brings Multiple Security Capabilities

DHS’s security support to the Super Bowl includes over 600 personnel providing air security resources; venue, cyber, and infrastructure security assessments; chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives detection technologies; intelligence analysis and threat assessments; intellectual property enforcement; and real-time situational awareness reporting for security partners. 

The event was submitted to DHS for a risk assessment and was classified as Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1. This means the event requires extensive federal support. For Super Bowl LVII, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge A. Scott Brown is serving as the Federal Coordinator for the Super Bowl. Support will be received from various DHS components and other federal partners. 

DHS has not identified any credible threats related to this event. Continued support will be given to secure the event, along with other law enforcement partners, to curtail the sale of counterfeit goods, counter potential threats from the air, including unmanned aircraft systems, and prevent other criminal activities in support of local efforts. 

To secure Super Bowl LVII, DHS is bringing federal resources to bear, while remaining in close coordination with other law enforcement partners and the NFL. DHS encourages the continued public awareness campaign “If You See Something, Say Something” to be utilized during the event. The DHS Blue Campaign will partner with other organizations to spread awareness of human trafficking.

Numerous offices will be present and working in coordination to keep the event secure. These include Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Homeland Security Investigations. These are only a few of the numerous groups working to keep the public safe (DHS Press Release). 

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