It is Super Bowl week. Your calendar is lighter than usual, group chats are buzzing, and your social feeds are flooded with predictions, memes, and last-minute plans.
You are not thinking about cybersecurity. You are thinking about the game.
A message pops up on your phone late in the evening. It looks official. The logo is familiar. The subject line reads, “Final ticket release. Limited time access.” Your heart skips a beat. You click without hesitation.
The site loads quickly. The design feels right. There is a countdown timer ticking away. You tell yourself you will just check availability. You enter your email. Then your payment details.
Moments later, the page refreshes. Nothing happens.
By the time you realize something is wrong, your card has already been charged. The website disappears. The message thread goes silent. The excitement you felt minutes ago turns into confusion and panic.
This is not bad luck. This is exactly how Super Bowl scams are designed to work.
Official Advisory Highlights the Cyber Risks Surrounding Super Bowl Week
Ahead of the Super Bowl, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert warning fans about the surge in online ticket scams and fraudulent reselling activity tied to the event. The warning emphasizes that scammers actively exploit digital channels such as fake websites, phishing messages, and deceptive online listings to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting fans. The advisory urges consumers to remain cautious during online transactions, verify the authenticity of websites and sellers, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
Every year criminals sharpen their tactics to exploit people’s emotions, urgency, and enthusiasm for the game. Understanding how these scams work and how threat actors choose their targets can help you protect your personal data, finances, and digital identity.
Major sporting events have become magnets for online scams because they generate massive attention and emotional investment. Cybersecurity researchers consistently observe spikes in malicious activity tied directly to the Super Bowl. For example, analysts recorded a 57 percent increase in malicious gambling content and illegal streaming traffic on Super Bowl Sunday compared to other weeks of the National Football League’s postseason. Fake sites promoting illegal streams and betting pages were far more active, creating increased risk of malware infections and credential theft for fans searching for content online.
Scammers use sporting events like the Super Bowl as perfect cover. They know that people will open emails, texts, and social media posts with event-related language and graphics without thinking twice. This combination of hype and distraction creates a perfect storm for phishing, fake offers, and credential theft.
The Cyber Scams That Surge During Super Bowl Week
Fake Ticket Alerts as Credential Harvesting Attacks
During Super Bowl week, attackers frequently impersonate legitimate ticketing platforms to launch credential harvesting campaigns. These scams usually arrive as emails or text messages claiming there is an issue with a ticket transfer, a failed payment, or a limited-time upgrade opportunity.
The message looks authentic. It uses branding, tone, and formatting that closely resemble official communications. When a user clicks the link, they land on a convincing replica of a legitimate login page. The moment credentials or payment details are entered, the attacker captures them in real time. In many cases, victims do not realize what happened until they see unauthorized access attempts or financial activity later.
From a cybersecurity perspective, the real objective is not the ticket. It is account takeover, identity theft, and the reuse of stolen credentials across other platforms.
Phishing and Smishing Disguised as Official Super Bowl Communications
Phishing emails and smishing messages spike sharply around major sporting events. During Super Bowl week, attackers impersonate event organizers, streaming platforms, sponsors, and even well-known brands associated with the game.
These messages often promise exclusive access, urgent updates, or last-minute confirmations. The real payload is a malicious link or attachment designed to harvest usernames, passwords, or financial data. Some campaigns also deliver malware that quietly installs itself on the device, giving attackers longer-term access.
These attacks succeed because they blend urgency with familiarity. When people expect event-related updates, they lower their guard and click first, then think later.
Betting and Gambling Platform Impersonation
The rise of online sports betting has created a lucrative attack surface for cybercriminals. During Super Bowl week, attackers target users by impersonating betting platforms and gaming apps.
Victims receive messages claiming there is an issue with their account, a suspicious login attempt, or an urgent verification requirement. Other messages lure users with unrealistic guarantees or bonus offers that require immediate action.
Once again, the attacker’s goal is digital access. Fake betting portals collect login credentials, personal information, and sometimes government identifiers. In more advanced campaigns, these sites also deploy malware that monitors keystrokes or redirects users to additional phishing pages.
Fake Streaming Sites Used as Malware Delivery Channels
Fans searching for free or unofficial streams face one of the highest cybersecurity risks during Super Bowl week. Unauthorized streaming sites often function as malware distribution platforms rather than simple copyright violations.
These sites may prompt users to install fake video players, browser extensions, or software updates. Once installed, the malware can steal credentials, inject malicious ads, monitor activity, or provide remote access to the attacker.
Security researchers consistently observe spikes in malicious domains and traffic related to illegal streaming during major sporting events. The risk extends beyond the game itself, as infected devices may remain compromised long after Super Bowl Sunday ends.
Social Media Giveaways and QR Code-Based Attacks
Social media plays a major role in Super Bowl hype, and attackers know it. Fake giveaways, polls, and promotional posts circulate widely during game week, often amplified by bots or compromised accounts.
QR codes embedded in posts or messages redirect users to phishing pages that mimic legitimate login portals. Because QR codes obscure the destination URL, users lose one of their primary visual cues for detecting fraud.
In some cases, scanning the code initiates a malware download or redirects users through multiple malicious domains before landing on a credential harvesting page. These attacks thrive on speed and curiosity, two emotions that run high during live events.
How Major Event Weeks Expand Cyber Risk to Organizations
Organizations also feel the pressure during high-profile events like the Super Bowl. Threat actors do not limit themselves to fans. According to cybersecurity bulletins covering major international sporting events, criminals are very likely to target businesses and event organizers with phishing emails, ransomware, and business email compromise aimed at extortion or data theft. These attacks can disrupt operations and damage reputation.
Companies connected to the event, either through sponsorship, hospitality services, or local economies host increased digital activity. Employees may receive an influx of scam emails during Super Bowl week, and attackers may try to exploit remote work distractions to launch malware or persuasion-based attacks. Proactive security awareness training becomes essential in the days leading up to and following the game.
Organizations that host or stream content must also protect their infrastructure from unauthorized access or service interruption. Security professionals often prepare months in advance, reinforcing networks, monitoring for typo-squatting domains, and blocking malicious traffic in real time.
How to Stay Safe from Super Bowl Week Scams
Staying cybersafe during Super Bowl week requires vigilance and a proactive approach. Here are expert recommendations for protecting yourself:
- Verify before you click. Always check URLs carefully and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts. Instead, open the official service or app directly to verify account status.
- Use official ticket and merchandise sources. Whenever possible, purchase tickets directly from official platforms such as Ticketmaster or the NFL’s authorized partners. If using resale platforms, ensure they are well-known, offer buyer protection, and have clear authenticity guarantees. Avoid unfamiliar sellers or deals shared via unsolicited emails, texts, or social media messages.
- Enable multi-factor authentication. Protect accounts with multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized access even if your credentials are compromised.
- Be cautious with QR codes. Only scan codes from trusted sources. Treat codes in unsolicited communications as high-risk.
- Secure your devices. Keep devices updated with the latest patches and install reputable antivirus or endpoint protection solutions.
- Monitor financial accounts. Regularly check statements for unusual charges and report them immediately to your financial institution.
These steps, practiced consistently, will reduce your risk of falling victim to the types of scams observed around major sporting events.
Conclusion
As the best teams take the field and millions of fans tune in for kickoff, Super Bowl week is meant to celebrate preparation, performance, and the thrill of competition, not compromised accounts or digital fallout. Just as players and coaches prepare for every scenario, cybercriminals prepare too, using the excitement and fast-paced decisions surrounding major events to their advantage. Whether you are watching the game, placing a last-minute bet, or working within an organization operating amid the buzz, staying cyber-aware is part of the playbook. A cautious click, a verified source, and a moment of skepticism can prevent costly mistakes.
Enjoy the Super Bowl, stay sharp, and let the only thing you lose this weekend be your voice from cheering too loud.
