Super Bowl Sunday is coming up, and now’s the time for rideshare drivers to start planning. Below, senior RSG contributor Jay Cradeur shares his key strategies for making the most money driving on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Super Bowl is upon us. The Super Bowl is one of America’s great traditions and is one of those few experiences every year in which most Americans do the same thing.
Stay tuned! We will be updating this article with more information about what it was like driving for Super Bowl 2023 from a driver’s perspective (plus earnings, surge info and more). Keep reading below to see how to prepare for this year’s big game day!
Quick links:
- Make sure you have these key driver-recommended products in your car before the big day (particularly these barf bags!)
- Other big holidays coming up for rideshare drivers
We gather, eat and drink, and watch not only a football game but also the commercials. Many people have their favorite teams, jerseys, even good luck rituals! However, as rideshare drivers, we may not be watching the game, but we may have our own good luck (money) rituals.
This article will look at how you can profit from Sunday’s festivities as a rideshare driver and have fun doing it.
Super Bowl 2023: Should You Drive, Deliver or Stay Home?
Will people stay in and order delivery, or go out and need rideshare? It really depends on a lot of factors, all outside of your control at this point (weather, friends, if people are sick, etc.)
For Super Bowl 2023, it’s a good time to sign up for some of the more popular (and profitable) food delivery services, including Instacart, DoorDash and Uber Eats.
When we asked drivers on our Rideshare Guy Facebook page about their plans for Super Bowl driving, most said they would be driving for food delivery services vs. rideshare.
Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you determine: should I drive, deliver or stay home this year for the Super Bowl?
- How busy is delivery in your city? What has demand already been like for delivery in your city? Have you been busy or has it been fairly dead? How has pickup from restaurants been and how have deliveries gone? Basically, is it worth the headache to drive on a potentially busier day for the earnings? If you’re confident you can turn orders quickly and rely on your local restaurants to be organized, this could be a big day to clean up.
- How much are you willing to drive? Again, depending on your city, it’s likely that there will be few ‘big events’ and fewer people getting together at each other’s houses. In this case, rideshare may be down but delivery orders may increase. That said, there’s a chance you will be driving around ‘smaller’ orders to more places. Be strategic about which delivery orders you accept, and try to stack them as much as possible.
- How much do you want to see the game? So far, it looks like rideshare and delivery demand are so-so. If you’re not getting surges or any incentives to hit the road, and you really want to watch the game, you might consider keeping tabs on your phone and demand, but staying put until demand is worth it for you to leave!
Best Super Bowl Uber Driving Tips
- Start driving two hours before Super Bowl kick-off
- Drive during Super Bowl half-time
- When the game ends, be sure to be downtown or wherever most people are watching in sports bars
- Have a supply of barf bags
- Give out free bottles of water for better passenger tips
Is Uber Busy During Super Bowl Sunday? Planning Ahead
Driving on Super Bowl Sunday can be really fun, and depending on where you live, there is a chance to see Super Bowl Uber surge. I have done it a couple of times, and each time thoroughly enjoyed ferrying around party goers. However, in order to maximize your revenue, you will need to plan your day. There are going to be a few key times of the day on which to focus.
Two Hours Before The Game Begins
Note when the game begins. On the west coast, it starts at 3:30 PM. That means it’s on at 6:30 east coast and 5:30 in the midwest.
I found two hours before the game is a great time to drive and start your day. It is not crazy busy like at the end of the game. People are leisurely heading off to a friend’s home, or to a sports bar. Food is being served up. Spirits are high in anticipation of the big game.
Demand will remain strong during this time, and you won’t get bogged down in traffic. Demand will continue to grow as you get closer to the start of the game, no matter which time zone you are in.
Halftime / Beginning of 3rd Quarter
Some people won’t be going to watch the game until halftime. This is due to a common belief that the game doesn’t get exciting until the second half – whether or not you believe that might depend on if it’s your team that’s actually in the Super Bowl!
Nonetheless, demand will pick up as folks will either be heading out to a friend’s home or to a bar, or you will find some folks moving from one party to another at half time. At this point in the day, you can expect to see some passengers a bit inebriated.
End of the Game
This will be the busiest time of the day. It is just like when the majority of bars close on a Friday or Saturday night. Everyone, all at once, is ready to leave and get back home.
You will want to be in the downtown section of your city where there are bars. This will be a good spot to make pickups and drive some folks home.
Dealing with Drunk Passengers
Drunk passengers on Super Bowl Sunday are not the same type of drunk passengers pouring out of a bar at 2 AM on Saturday night. The Super Bowl passenger is less of a regular drinker and therefore will feel more impacted by the alcohol. Also, most venues have abundant platters of food, so the chance of serious barfing in your car is higher.
Be careful and be sure to have plenty barf bags on hand. We recommend Emesis blue barf bags. I carry them in my glove box so they are ready within seconds, while other drivers keep them in the back seats closest to the passengers.
One driver told us they like to designate the least drunk passenger with the ‘task’ of making sure their friends have barf bags – it’s a good strategy to try if you don’t drive drunk people around often! But whatever you do, get barf bags.
This is how I handle drunk folks, regardless of the event: If someone seems inebriated, I start talking to the passenger. This will give you a good sense of the level of drunk you are dealing with. If someone seems ready to blow, I ask the passenger how he or she feels. “Are you going to be OK?”
If the passenger seems less than responsive, I will suggest they open the window and get some air. This would also be the time to hand the passenger the wonderful blue barf bag. “Here you go, just in case you feel sick.”
At this point, I look to see how much longer I have to drive before making the drop-off, and I hope we make it.
Getting Big Tips
If you want bigger tips on this festive day, make the trips enjoyable. It is wise to know who is playing in the game so you can have a good conversation. This year it will be the Chiefs vs. the Eagles in Glendale, AZ – for those driving in Glendale and Phoenix this year, this could be huge!
If you can do a little bit of research, that would be helpful. For example, know the quarterbacks. The Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes and the Eagles have Jalen Hurts.
I don’t normally recommend having water for the passengers. However, when I drove a few years back on Super Bowl Sunday, I did buy a flat (24) of small bottled waters. The passengers loved me for it. People who are day drinking really crave water because alcohol causes dehydration.
You can be the hero by providing a solution at a very low cost. Passengers tip heroes. Be the hero!
What If You Drive In Glendale/Phoenix/Scottsdale?
This year the big game is being played at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ (not Phoenix, as people from Arizona will tell you… but pretty close.)
Here’s more info from Uber about demand and pick up/drop off locations if you’re driving in Glendale during the Super Bowl:
- Peak Demand: Fans are expected to be looking for rides from 6:00pm – 10:30pm
- Pickups/Dropoffs: There is a dedicated rideshare zone in the State Farm Stadium BLACK Lot
- Lot Access: To access the Super Bowl LVII rideshare zone, take Camelback Rd to 95th Ave north, turn right onto Montebello Ave, and then follow signs to turn left into the BLACK Lot
- Important: The Super Bowl rideshare lot will not be accessible via Cardinals Way
- Navigation: It’s highly recommended to use Uber’s in-app navigation for the most up-to-date routing for The Super Bowl and other area events
- Lot Operations: After receiving a ride request from the designated rideshare zone, you can look for signs with designated lane numbers that you communicate to your rider to help make it easier for them to find you in the lot
Increased Earnings Opportunity at The Super Bowl: You can [earn an] extra $30 on Super Bowl pickups from the designated rideshare zone at State Farm stadium from 5:30pm to 11pm, Sunday, February 12.*
Increased Earnings Opportunities Downtown: *You can earn an extra $3 on pickups in designated parts of Downtown Phoenix from 1pm to 1am, Thursday, February 9 – Saturday, February 11.
Last year, when RSG contributor Sergio Avedian drove during LA’s Super Bowl, he said he made more money driving on the outskirts of the stadium compared to drivers who drove closer to the stadium. In a recent interview with 12 News in Phoenix, Sergio said:
“Stay away from the stadium, stay away from designated pick-up areas; once you get stuck, you’re not maximizing your earnings,” said Avedian.
He suggests taking advantage of other events and parties where people will be visiting.
Three years ago, RSG contributor Joe drove during the Super Bowl. Here’s what he had to say about the experience, and his tips for driving successfully when the Super Bowl is in your city:
In addition to the Super Bowl, Scottsdale and Phoenix will also be busy with the WM Phoenix Open, Super Bowl events around the city, and a general increase in tourist activity due to the sunny Southwest weather this time of year.
Uber and Lyft Super Bowl Promotions
As of now, many drivers have said they have not seen any promotions, surges, or bonus offers for the Super Bowl.
However, in Phoenix and Glendale, Uber has advertised the following Super Bowl promotions:
Increased Earnings Opportunity at The Super Bowl: You can [earn an] extra $30 on Super Bowl pickups from the designated rideshare zone at State Farm stadium from 5:30pm to 11pm, Sunday, February 12.*
Increased Earnings Opportunities Downtown: *You can earn an extra $3 on pickups in designated parts of Downtown Phoenix from 1pm to 1am, Thursday, February 9 – Saturday, February 11.
Key Takeaways
Have a great day. If you start two hours before the game and wrap up two hours after the game, that will be a full eight hour day. You should be able to crush it and have a good time doing it.
Play the game on the radio, talk it up, and manage your tipsy passengers to get big tips. If you are like me, you may experience FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) because you are not at the party. Relax and enjoy, the party will be happening in your car. Be safe out there.
Readers, does your city have any particular events planned for the Super Bowl? Are there areas to avoid (downtown streets shut down for a party, for example)? Let us know how you plan to tackle the Super Bowl this year!
-Jay @ RSG
