NFL-Spirits high but so are nerves as gates open for Super Bowl

Football – NFL – Super Bowl LVIII – Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States – February 11, 2024 Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and teammates raise their hands in a huddle before the game REUTERS/Mike Blake

By Rory Carroll

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers were all smiles as they entered Allegiant Stadium for the Super Bowl on Sunday but admitted their good cheer came with a side of nerves.

Football – NFL – Super Bowl LVIII – Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States – February 11, 2024 San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner speaks to teammates during the warm up before the game REUTERS/Mike Blake

Security was tight but fans arriving early for the NFL’s championship game said they had no issues getting into the $1.9-billion stadium located just off the Las Vegas Strip.

Football – NFL – Super Bowl LVIII – Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States – February 11, 2024 Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and Marquez Valdes-Scantling before the game REUTERS/Mike Blake

“Everyone has been fantastic,” said Chiefs fan Kay Peca, who was attending her first Super Bowl as an early 70th birthday present.

“Fans of the other team have been great. We’ve had a couple little snarls, but for the most part we fist bump.”

Pop superstar Taylor Swift had arrived at the stadium to cheer on her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, adding another layer of excitement to the already highly-anticipated matchup.

“When my students find out that I’m here and I’m in the same building as Taylor Swift, they’ll ask, ‘Did you get a picture? ‘Did you give her a hug?'” said Todd Boden, an elementary school music teacher from Pennsylvania.

Football – NFL – Super Bowl LVIII – Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States – February 11, 2024 Fans queue up outside the stadium before the game REUTERS/Carlos Barria

“No, we were in the same building and that’s as close as we’re going to get.”

Boden said fans of both teams were being “cordial” but that it belied nerves on both sides ahead of the high-stakes matchup.

With a win, the Chiefs would secure their second consecutive Super Bowl title and cement their status as the league’s latest dynasty.

Football – NFL – Super Bowl LVIII – Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States – February 11, 2024 San Francisco 49ers fans before the game REUTERS/Carlos Barria

A 49ers triumph would deliver a record-tying sixth Super Bowl title and first since 1995.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll; editing by Clare Fallon)

Football – NFL – Super Bowl LVIII – Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States – February 11, 2024 General view of fans outside the stadium is seen in a reflection before the game REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Football – NFL – Super Bowl LVIII – Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States – February 11, 2024 San Francisco 49ers fans before the game REUTERS/Carlos Barria