FAA, FBI Enforce Multi-Day No-Drone Zones for Super Bowl LX

Federal agencies moved quickly to lock down airspace ahead of Super Bowl LX, imposing multi-day restrictions across downtown San Francisco and an expansive game-day exclusion around Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The measures are designed to protect aviation safety, critical infrastructure, and public safety at one of the country’s highest-profile sporting events.

The Federal Aviation Administration said, "The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has established a 'No Drone Zone' for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with additional drone restrictions in downtown San Francisco during the days leading up to the event." Beginning February 3, UAS operations were prohibited around named San Francisco venues including Moscone Center, The Pearl, The Ferry Building, and Grace Cathedral. DroneLife summarized the downtown schedule: Feb 3–4 restricted within a 2 nautical mile radius up to 2,000 feet from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Feb 5–7 expanded daily coverage from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following day. The Palace of Fine Arts carried a separate 1 nm/1,000 foot restriction on Feb 5 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Levi’s Stadium faces the strictest limits on game day. DroneLife and AirSight report a pre-game 2 nm/2,000 ft exclusion from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., an expanded "During the Game (2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. PST): The restricted zone expands significantly to a 30‑nautical‑mile radius and up to 18,000 feet in altitude," and a return to a 2 nm/2,000 ft post-game window through 10:30 p.m. The stadium coordinate listed in briefings is 372422N1215839W. One alternative report characterized the structure as an inner-core within 10 nm and an outer ring to 30 nm, an item that conflicts with the more granular FAA and DroneLife timetable.

Enforcement will be robust and hands-on. The FAA noted personnel "deployed full-time to identify drone activity that could threaten aviation safety, critical infrastructure, or public safety at and around event venues." The agency also warned that "Drone operators who enter restricted airspace without authorization may face fines of up to $75,000, drone confiscation, and federal criminal charges, with the FBI identifying operators, seizing drones, and supporting prosecution." The FAA added that "The FBI is legally authorized to use specialized mitigation tools to address unauthorized drone flights and may take action to move aircraft out of restricted airspace while preserving evidence for potential enforcement action." AirSight emphasized the posture, stating that "The FBI and FAA have made it clear that there is zero tolerance for unauthorized flights."

For the drone racing and FPV community, the TFRs and counter-UAS posture change the operational calculus for February 3–8. Local race organizers, media pilots, and commercial operators will need to avoid training flights and live-camera assignments inside restricted perimeters or secure appropriate waivers well in advance. Travel knock-on effects also matter to visiting pilots and crews; one travel advisory warned that "Monday, February 9, is expected to be especially busy at San Francisco Bay Area airports. Travelers are advised to arrive early to allow extra time for long lines at check-in and security screening."

No notices in the posted restrictions contained player names, game scores, or on-field results; the filings and summaries focus strictly on airspace control and enforcement. What comes next for drone sport and event coverage is practical and legal: plan around the Feb 3–8 windows, respect the expanded Feb 8 game-day exclusion, and expect federal detection and mitigation tools to be active during Super Bowl LX.