Super Bowl XLIX, to be played in February 2015, has been awarded to the Phoenix area by a vote amongst NFL owners.
Phoenix , Arizona, will host Super Bowl for third time in 2015
Super Bowl XLIX, to be played in February 2015, has been awarded to the Phoenix area by a vote amongst NFL owners.
Phoenix beat off competition from Tampa in a second vote to be able to stage the NFL's showpiece event for the third time.
The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale last hosted the Super Bowl in 2008, while Tempe, Arizona was the host for the 1996 game.
"We are thrilled to be back in Arizona," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "I will say it was a difficult choice."
The 2012 Super Bowl will be staged in Indianapolis, followed by New Orleans and the controversial choice of New York's New Meadowlands Stadium - which will be the first cold weather open-air Super Bowl venue.
"Both cities are great sites for the Super Bowl and both had impressive bids," said Giants owner John Mara after the vote. "They've each been to the altar a few times recently and were denied. They both deserve to host a game again."
Ballots
Neither site got the required 24 votes to win the first ballot, but Phoenix won out in the second when a simple majority was needed, prompting cheers of delight from their bid team.
"Everyone pulled together throughout the Phoenix area to put together a terrific package we were able to present to the owners," said Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill. "We are delighted."
Goodell spoke with representatives of four-time host venue Tampa, who staged the 2009 Super Bowl when Pittsburgh beat Arizona at Raymond James Stadium.
The NFL also set the date of February 2, 2014 for the New York Super Bowl, believed to be chosen so it would not clash with the Winter Olympics - something which Goodell flatly denied.
"We had multiple dates on the basis of whether we would go to an expanded season, so that's the reason we just locked in that date," he added. "I'm not sure I even know the date of the Olympics."
Debate still rages about the merits of staging an outdoor Super Bowl in the Big Apple, with freezing temperatures and snow almost guaranteed - although Mara addressed that point with a smile.
"It's historically warmer on Feb. 2," Mara said.
