ESPN unveils expansive Super Bowl LXI broadcast hub and fan experience on Santa Monica Beach

Feb 16, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of Los Angeles Rams helmet at the Santa Monica Pier. NFL owners voted 30-2 to allow owner Stan Kroenke (not pictured) to move the St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles for the 2016 season.

(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- ESPN is planning a massive week-long presence on the Southern California coast for Super Bowl LXI, transforming Santa Monica Beach and the historic Santa Monica Pier into a sprawling broadcast headquarters and fan destination ahead of the network’s first-ever Super Bowl broadcast in February 2027.

Dubbed “ESPN Beach,” the beachfront compound will serve as the centerpiece of ESPN’s Super Bowl coverage beginning Monday, Feb. 8, leading up to Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 14, 2027.

The state-of-the-art setup will feature multiple beachside television sets, extensive digital and social media production, live studio programming and immersive fan experiences along the Santa Monica coastline. ESPN said its plans are designed to create an around-the-clock multiplatform presence throughout Super Bowl week.

“This effort reflects an expansive, fully integrated approach that goes beyond the traditional broadcast footprint,” ESPN said in announcing the initiative.

Most of ESPN’s daily studio shows — from morning programming through primetime — will originate from Santa Monica Beach during Super Bowl week, featuring many of the network’s top personalities and signature shows. ABC will also have a dedicated on-site presence as part of the broader Disney and ESPN coverage plans.

In addition to serving as the network’s broadcast headquarters, ESPN Beach will also include a free public fan activation on the Santa Monica Pier, featuring interactive games, entertainment experiences and branded attractions tied to ESPN, ABC and Disney properties.