NFL Connects 120-Plus Los Angeles Businesses With League Partners Ahead of Super Bowl LXI

LAPost/Inglewood, CA (October 13, 2026) — By Richard Ren/LAPost

As Los Angeles prepares to host Super Bowl LXI in February 2027, the National Football League (NFL) is giving local businesses an opportunity to connect directly with league partners, learn how to compete for contracts and build relationships that could extend well beyond the championship game.

On October 13, the NFL, the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee brought together more than 120 local business owners and representatives at Fr3e Event Space in Inglewood for “How to Do Business with League Partners,” an event designed to help members of the Super Bowl LXI Source Program understand procurement opportunities associated with the Super Bowl and other major sporting and entertainment events.

The program featured a panel discussion with NFL partners and vendors, followed by networking sessions that allowed participating businesses to speak directly with representatives involved in transportation, stadium operations, hospitality and other event-related services.

Super Bowl LXI, the NFL championship game for the 2026 season, is scheduled for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. For local companies, the event represents not only a major sporting occasion but also a potential entry point into the NFL’s broader business network.

Turning Super Bowl into Long-Term Business Opportunities

Speakers emphasized that the Source Program is intended to do more than connect small businesses with contracts for a single event. It aims to help local and underrepresented businesses establish relationships with buyers, understand procurement requirements and position themselves for future work.

With approximately 124 days remaining until Super Bowl LXI, one of the event’s central messages was that businesses should use the time to make connections, ask questions and learn what potential buyers actually need.

Representatives encouraged business owners not to become discouraged if they had not yet secured a contract or received a request for proposal. Major event procurement involves multiple stages, and additional opportunities may emerge as operational plans develop.

The panelists also noted that contracts are not necessarily awarded solely on the basis of the lowest bid. Buyers may consider a company’s qualifications, experience, reliability, management capabilities, communication and ability to deliver services on time.

For smaller businesses, understanding these expectations can be as important as submitting a competitive price.

Understanding the NFL Procurement Process

The discussion offered practical advice on how local companies can improve their chances of working with NFL partners and other organizations involved in Super Bowl operations.

Representatives explained that procurement typically involves requests for proposals or bids, a review of pricing and service capabilities, and further discussions with prospective contractors. Recommendations are then considered through the relevant decision-making process.

Businesses were encouraged to communicate clearly about their capabilities and limitations rather than overpromise.

For example, a transportation company that cannot handle an entire project may still be considered for a smaller portion of the work. Similarly, businesses that can provide only part of a requested service should explain what they can deliver, allowing buyers to determine whether the remaining needs can be met by other vendors.

Panelists stressed that flexibility, transparency and reliability are essential. Companies should ask questions whenever bid documents or requests for proposals are unclear, confirm delivery schedules and communicate potential problems as early as possible.

Timing is especially important for a major event such as the Super Bowl, where transportation, staffing, catering, equipment and venue operations must be carefully coordinated.

Businesses must also be prepared to demonstrate that they can meet applicable insurance, operational and contractual requirements.

Opportunities Extend Beyond Super Bowl Sunday

Representatives from companies working with the NFL discussed a range of potential needs, including transportation, parking, staffing, food and beverage services, merchandise, hospitality and event production.

Transportation providers, for example, may require buses, motor coaches and other vehicles, as well as personnel to support parking operations and traffic management. Staffing and catering needs can also arise from long operating hours and the scale of major events.

However, speakers cautioned that many large contracts are planned well in advance. Businesses should not assume that all opportunities will remain open until the final weeks before the game. At the same time, changes in project scope, additional requirements and smaller assignments may create openings for companies with the right capabilities.

The Los Angeles Rams also highlighted the importance of building a lasting local business network. Opportunities may extend to team activities, training camp, community programs, corporate partnerships and other events throughout the year.

The broader goal is to connect local businesses with buyers and help them establish relationships that could lead to future projects in Los Angeles and beyond.

Panelists noted that successful relationships can sometimes lead to referrals or opportunities in other markets, particularly when companies demonstrate consistent performance and build a record of trust.

Local Businesses Put Their Services on Display

The event also offered participating businesses an opportunity to showcase their products and services. Organizers noted that nine Source Program members contributed to the evening’s event production, including food, desserts, graphics, decorations, venue services and technical support.

The contributions illustrated how businesses of different sizes and specialties can participate in a large-scale event, even when they are not directly responsible for headline contracts.

During the networking session, business owners were encouraged to meet with panelists at individual tables, discuss their specific capabilities and connect with fellow participants. Organizers also emphasized that partnerships among the businesses themselves could generate opportunities, rather than relying exclusively on direct contracts with major buyers.

Billy: An Opportunity to Serve a Diverse Community

Among the participating business owners was Juan Carlos Acosta, known as Billy, chef-owner of Carmita El Momo, who spoke with LAPost about his company’s participation in the Source Program.

“This is our first time being part of the Source Program with the NFL,” Billy said. “We are looking forward to many more projects with the Source Program.”

Billy and his team provided authentic Mexican food for the gathering, serving attendees representing a range of cultural backgrounds.

“I’m really happy to be here,” he said. “It’s a very diverse program. There are different cultures in this room right now that I’m very happy to feed, and I’m very excited to be here.”

For Billy, participation offered an opportunity to introduce his food to a diverse audience while establishing connections that could lead to additional business.

His experience reflects the broader purpose of the Source Program: creating opportunities for local businesses to demonstrate their capabilities, meet potential buyers and become part of the supply network supporting major events.

As Los Angeles moves toward Super Bowl LXI, the message to participating businesses was clear: winning a contract is only one part of the process. Building relationships, understanding buyers’ needs and consistently delivering on commitments may prove equally important in turning a major sporting event into lasting business growth.

 

 

 

ABOUT NFL SOURCE:

NFL Source is the League’s procurement program designed to connect local and underrepresented businesses with contracting opportunities surrounding major NFL events. For Super Bowl LXI, the program is working with local businesses across a range of industries, including event production, catering, transportation, security, staffing, marketing, promotional products, construction, maintenance, hospitality, photography and audiovisual services.