Santa Clara is setting up 'free speech zones' for the Super Bowl. Here's what you need to know.

Grace Hase, Bay Area News Group on Feb 5, 2026

Published in Football

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With tens of thousand of football fans descending on Santa Clara, Calif., for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, city leaders have set aside two free speech zones near Levi’s Stadium for those who want to exercise their First Amendment rights around the game.

Here’s what you need to know:

Where are the free speech zones?

The zone to the west of Levi’s Stadium will be at the intersection of Great America Parkway and Patrick Henry Drive and the zone to the east will be at Tasman Drive and Lick Mill Boulevard. They will be activated on Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Why did the city create the free speech zones?

A Santa Clara spokesperson said in an email that the Super Bowl “requires extensive security coordination, crowd management and the protection of emergency access routes.”

“Members of the public are entitled to exercise their First Amendment free speech rights in traditional public forums such as sidewalks,” the spokesperson said. “At the same time, the Constitution allows reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on speech to further substantial governmental interests.”

The spokesperson added the “free speech zones are a long-standing and lawful approach to balancing those interests.”

“These zones help ensure safe pedestrian movement, reduce congestion near stadium entrances, and allow individuals to gather and engage in expressive activity without interfering with security operations or public safety,” the spokesperson said. “When properly implemented, they protect both free expression and the safe operation of one of the largest events in the world.”

Could the location of the free speech zones change?

Yes. City Attorney Glen Googins said at a council meeting this week that they are “subject to change on event day based on security concerns.” The city plans to utilize its social media pages to alert the public of any changes.

Is there a security perimeter around Levi’s Stadium during the game?

Yes. The city approved a “clean zone” in December that restricts certain activities around the stadium between Feb. 1 and Feb. 10. The zone is bounded by State Route 237 to the north, Calabazas Creek to the west, Highway 101 and Montague Expressway to the south and the Guadalupe River to the east.

During this time, the following are prohibited: outdoor food or beverage sales except those within a businesses’ normal operations, outdoor merchandise sales and mobile vending or advertising. Sidewalk vending permits will also be paused, temporary structures will need permits in order to be erected on non-residential properties and promotional giveaways will be limited except on private property by businesses operating in the area.

Are roads closed on game day?

Yes. On Feb. 8, Great America Parkway between Bunker Hill Lane and Patrick Henry Drive will be closed. Old Ironside and Old Glory Lane will also be closed.