WHAT’S THE DEAL?

Every year, the Super Bowl draws global attention—millions of fans, high-profile performances, and a spotlight on the host city. As excitement builds for Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California, questions also surface about human trafficking. Headlines often claim the Super Bowl is a hotspot for exploitation, but what does the evidence actually show?

At Agape International Missions (AIM), we believe in truth, prevention, and protecting the vulnerable. This conversation matters—not because of myths, but because human trafficking is a daily reality in cities across the world.

Does Human Trafficking Increase During the Super Bowl?

The idea that the Super Bowl causes spikes in human trafficking has been widely repeated for years. However, leading experts and multiple studies have found no clear evidence that trafficking increases more during the Super Bowl than during other large events or on a regular basis throughout the year.

That doesn’t mean trafficking isn’t happening—it is. But it happens every day, in every city, not just during high-profile events. The danger of repeating the Super Bowl myth is that it can draw attention away from the ongoing, often hidden nature of exploitation in our communities.

What’s True: Traffickers Exploit Vulnerability and Opportunity

Large events like the Super Bowl bring increased tourism, hospitality demand, and a flood of short-term visitors. Traffickers may take advantage of these factors, especially where there is a lack of awareness or oversight. But exploitation is not event-dependent. It thrives wherever people are vulnerable—regardless of the calendar.

The real threat isn’t the Super Bowl. The real threat is indifference.

How Communities Can Respond

Whether it’s game day or any day, here’s what individuals and communities can do to help prevent trafficking:

1. Stay Informed

Understand what trafficking is—and what it isn’t. Trafficking doesn’t always involve kidnapping. It often involves coercion, manipulation, and abuse of power.

2. Watch for Warning Signs

Unexplained injuries, a lack of freedom to move or speak alone, or someone being closely controlled by another person can all be red flags. Learn more at aimfree.org/resources.

3. Report Suspicious Activity

If something doesn’t seem right, say something. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “BEFREE” (233733).

4. Support Long-Term Solutions

Prevention, rescue, and restoration work 365 days a year. Your support helps uproot trafficking at its roots. Consider giving, praying, or partnering at aimfree.org.

AIM’s Mission

At AIM, we don’t chase headlines. We pursue transformation. Our mission is to free hearts, lives, and communities from the evil of sex trafficking in Jesus’ name and in Jesus’ way. Whether it’s Southeast Asia, Central America, or your own city, we’re committed to rescue, healing, and lasting change.

The Super Bowl may bring awareness, but the mission demands more than a moment. It requires all of us—every day.

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THE SUPER BOWL & TRAFFICKING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS:

We’ve been keeping tabs on how each Super Bowl’s approach to tackling the issue of trafficking. Take a look at our observances from previous years:

Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans renewed national attention on human trafficking due to the city’s tourism-driven economy and history as a major event destination. While claims of dramatic trafficking spikes tied specifically to the Super Bowl remain debated, New Orleans faces ongoing vulnerabilities connected to poverty, housing instability, and high demand within the hospitality and nightlife industries. Louisiana continues to report significant trafficking cases, underscoring that exploitation is a persistent, year-round issue rather than an event-based anomaly.

In preparation for the Super Bowl, local law enforcement, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations expanded training, public awareness efforts, and coordinated response strategies. These initiatives focused on prevention, identification, and survivor-centered support. Community leaders emphasized that large events can serve as moments to strengthen long-term systems of protection, while reinforcing a critical truth: human trafficking does not begin or end with the Super Bowl, and sustained vigilance and action are required well beyond game day.

Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas raised significant concerns about human trafficking due to the city’s reputation and Nevada’s legal landscape. While the overall connection between trafficking and the Super Bowl remains debated, Las Vegas presents unique vulnerabilities. The state ranks among the highest in reported human trafficking cases, with over 620,000 documented incidents.1 A major concern is Nevada’s laws that allow sex buyers to seal convictions after one year and make it more difficult to prosecute traffickers, as many cases require survivors to testify against their exploiters, which is often a significant barrier.

Ahead of the event, law enforcement and advocacy groups, such as Signs of Hope, implemented awareness campaigns and proactive measures to mitigate trafficking risks. Myisha Boyce, Chief Community Engagement Officer for the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee, emphasized the importance of local involvement, stating, “No one knows Vegas better than those of us who form community here.”2 While efforts to combat trafficking intensify during large events, experts stress that trafficking is a persistent crisis that requires year-round attention beyond the Super Bowl.

Glendale, Arizona was home to Superbowl LVII in 2023. Back in September of 2022, the city was already addressing the possibility of trafficking incidents surrounding the big game. The local police worked with other agencies to find traffickers coming into Arizona leading up to February 12th.

The Phoenix Police Department released a report on February 20th that multiple agencies across the valley made 48 felony and 300 misdemeanor arrests during a crackdown on sex trafficking. Police said five minors and one adult victim were removed from crime scenes but could not confirm if the Arizona Department of Child Safety took them into care. They did not comment when asked how they differentiate between “sex workers” and “sex victims.”3

In 2022, Los Angeles, California hosted Super Bowl LVI. Outside of this time, California reports the highest number of human trafficking cases per year out of any state. Ubers in the city displayed the human trafficking hotline, LAX posted signs that help people identify and report trafficking, while some flights into LA showed videos that highlight the issue. Additionally, other organizations joined to spread awareness throughout the city. During Super Bowl week, 500 prostitution-related arrests were made in Southern California resulting in the rescue of dozens of survivors.

Tampa, Florida hosted the Super Bowl in 2021, and many agencies, including the local police department and It’s A Penalty, were in high gear for the weeks leading up to the event. In the 2 months leading prior, officials arrested 71 men on prostitution-related charges. The weekend of the big game, 75 people were arrested in an investigation officials called, “Operation Game Over”. 3 of these faced human trafficking charges. 6 survivors were rescued during this operation.

The 2020 Super Bowl was held in Miami, Florida on February 2nd. The 49ers faced off against the Chiefs as law enforcement and human rights advocates faced off against traffickers and their cruel intentions. Florida is the 3rd highest-ranking human trafficking state in the country. Surrounding the Super Bowl, 47 traffickers were arrested and 22 women and girls were rescued.

In Atlanta, Georgia, the 2019 Super Bowl was preceded by the arrest of 169 traffickers. The anti-trafficking efforts spurred an influx in attention around the issue of trafficking, especially surrounding big sporting events.

References

Super Bowl LX – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_LX

AP News – Super Bowl 2026 performers announced https://apnews.com/article/2fe31c829f1e7dbc14949c74c4076e96

Pitchfork – Bad Bunny to Play 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show https://pitchfork.com/news/bad-bunny-to-play-2026-super-bowl-halftime-show/

Sky Sports – Super Bowl 2026 Date, Time, Teams, Halftime Show https://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12040/13497763/super-bowl-2026-kickoff-time-teams-date-stadium-half-time-show-and-how-to-watch-live-on-sky-sports

ABC7 News – What to Know About Super Bowl 2026 at Levi’s Stadium https://abc7news.com/post/super-bowl-2026-what-know-sb-60-levis-stadium-santa-clara-including-date-halftime-show-more/18393286/

Anti-Trafficking Review – Super Bowl and Sex Trafficking: Media Myths https://www.antitraffickingreview.org/index.php/atrjournal/article/view/404/336

University of South Florida – Does the Super Bowl Increase Human Trafficking? https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/news/2025/does-the-super-bowl-increase-human-trafficking-in-host-city.aspx

Polaris Project – Super Bowl Myths and Facts https://polarisproject.org/blog/2019/01/worried-about-human-trafficking-and-the-super-bowl-consider-your-nachos/

McCain Institute – Human Trafficking: It’s Bigger Than the Super Bowl https://www.mccaininstitute.org/resources/in-the-news/human-trafficking-its-bigger-than-the-super-bowl/

IJM – Is the Super Bowl the Largest Human Trafficking Event in the World? https://www.ijm.org/news/is-the-super-bowl-the-largest-human-trafficking-event-in-the-world