Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Trucking the Super Bowl: How Super Bowl LX Impacted Freight Volumes

Super Bowl LX drove a spike in trucking freight volumes into San Jose. New data shows which equipment types benefited most.

February 5, 2026
Illustration of football stadium with bar graph and freight on dock

What does the data show about the Super Bowl's demand on freight logistics?

Credit:

HDT Graphic

1 min to read


The Patriots and the Seahawks meet in California this Sunday for Super Bowl LX. But for supply chain, trucking, and logistics professionals, the big game isn’t just a sporting event — it’s a freight event.

Hosting the Super Bowl requires a massive surge of inbound freight.

Ad Loading...

Beyond food and beverages, the week leading up to the game drives demand for tailgating supplies, equipment, temporary infrastructure, and last-minute expedited shipments.

Graph comparing inbound load volumes for this year’s Super Bowl in San Jose, Calif., to last year’s event in New Orleans over a 3-week period leading up to the week of the event. 

Inbound load volumes for this year’s Super Bowl in San Jose, California, compared to last year’s event in New Orleans over a three-week period leading up to the week of the event. 

Credit:

Truckstop.com

What the Data Shows About Super Bowl Freight Patterns

According to Truckstop.com, inbound load volumes to the San Jose market jumped significantly during the week of January 25–31, both week over week and year over year.

Bar graph illustrating differences among flatbed, reefer and van freight leading up to the Super Bowl

Flatbed and reefer were the big winners looking at load volumes, week over week, for the three main equipment types for this year’s Super Bowl. (The last week recorded was the week ending Jan. 31, so the change is compared to the week ending Jan. 24.)

Credit:

Truckstop.com


Inbound Load Volume Increases

  • Flatbed: +30% WoW | +200% YoY
  • Reefer: +18% WoW | +3% YoY
  • Van: +10% WoW | +29% YoY

Higher volumes also drove rate increases for several equipment types:

Inbound Spot Rates

  • Reefer: $2.72 avg | +12.4% WoW | +22% YoY
  • Flatbed: $3.02 avg | +3.4% WoW | +0.3% YoY
  • Van: $2.18 avg | -5.6% WoW | -0.46% YoY
Ad Loading...

Early indications suggest reefer and flatbed carriers are the clear winners in this year’s “freight Super Bowl," according to Truckstop.com, though van may be positioning itself for a stronger run in Super Bowl LXI.

The inbound freight data of this year's Super Bowl compared to the Indy 500 and Daytona events from 2025.

How does this year's Super Bowl compare to other big events?

Credit:

Truckstop.com


More Fleet Management

Cyberstop column header depicting images related to threats, AI, and a locked cargo container
Fleet Managementby Ben WilkensFebruary 4, 2026

How Cybercrime Is Reshaping Cargo Theft and Fleet Risk in 2026

Artificial intelligence is changing how cybercriminals and cargo thieves target trucking fleets—and how fleets defend themselves. As phishing, impersonation, and cargo theft converge, cybersecurity is becoming a core part of fleet safety and operations.

Read More →
Fleetworthy Toll360 toll management system.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 4, 2026

Fleetworthy's AI-powered Toll360 Gives Fleets Real-Time Toll Visibility and Automated Dispute Handling

Fleetworthy's new Bestpass Toll360 add-on uses route data and AI to predict toll charges, reconcile invoices, and automatically file eligible disputes—helping fleets cut manual work and recover overpayments.

Read More →
2026 Mack Anthem rolls off the assembly line
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

Mack Financial Services Launches Physical Damage Insurance For All Makes

Mack Financial Services has introduced the Rolling Asset Program, offering physical damage insurance for all makes and models within a customer's fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of phishing email with trucks in background
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

New Phishing Scheme Targets Motor Carriers, FMCSA Warns

Beware of a new phishing scheme targeting motor carriers. Scammers are sending emails posing as FMCSA or DOT officials to steal data.

Read More →
Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →