The Watch Floor with Sarah Adams
Episode: The Huge Security Risks of Super Bowl LX
Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Sarah Adams
Episode Overview
In this episode, Sarah Adams—former CIA Targeter—analyzes the Super Bowl not just as a sporting event but as a massive logistical and security challenge. She explores the layered threats that arise around large-scale gatherings, from everyday street crime and cyber risks to sophisticated scams and potential protest-driven disruptions. Sarah also provides practical advice that applies to anyone attending not just the Super Bowl, but any major public event.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Super Bowl: More Than a Game
[00:00-06:00]
- The Super Bowl turns a host city into a “temporary city” with a significant population surge.
- Event implications go far beyond the stadium: law enforcement, hotels, transportation, nightlife, and cyber vulnerabilities all come into play.
Quote:
"When a city hosts a Super Bowl, it's not just hosting the game. It's hosting what is best to call, like, a population surge." — Sarah Adams [03:30]
- Applies not only to the Super Bowl but to festivals, rallies, parades, and other mass gatherings.
2. Concentric Circles of Risk
[06:00-09:00]
- Security risks extend well outside the stadium:
- Hotel lobbies at night
- Crowded bars and transit platforms
- Parking garages and rideshares
- Crime surges in unpredictable environments, especially where the usual population density and routines are disrupted.
3. Organized Crime & Opportunistic Threats
[09:00-13:30]
- Common crimes: pickpocketing, phone theft, and the “cascade” of further harm once devices are stolen.
- "Pickpocketing rings" operate in coordinated teams, quickly passing off stolen goods.
- Digital crime, especially via QR code scams and fake Wi-Fi, flourishes amidst the chaos.
Quote:
"If your phone's locked, it makes it obviously very difficult for them to do it. They might just throw it away and go try to get another phone they that they can access easily." — Sarah Adams [11:40]
4. Cybersecurity & Phishing Dangers
[13:30-18:00]
- Targeted phishing texts and emails attempt to exploit travelers overwhelmed by logistics (tickets, hotels, flights).
- Fake Wi-Fi networks are prevalent, allowing cybercriminals to intercept logins, including work credentials, risking corporate breaches.
Tip:
- Always access account changes or offers by going directly to apps or official websites, never through received links.
Quote:
"Anytime you get something like that...just go to the actual app. So if your flight was on United...go to your United app, don't click the text you got." — Sarah Adams [15:10]
5. The Risks of Oversharing on Social Media
[18:00-20:30]
- Posting event photos in real time can have ripple effects:
- Making you a target at the event for scams or theft.
- Letting thieves know your home is empty.
- Delay posting by 24-48 hours to increase safety.
6. Criminal Activity & Disorder
[20:30-25:00]
- Fights, vandalism (often targeting police/security vehicles), assaults, firearms incidents, and field invasions.
- The excitement—and anonymity—of crowds makes crime easier and more difficult to police.
Memorable Moment:
A humorous aside about streakers, then pivoting to the seriousness of security breaches:
“Everybody wants to see the streaker, but of course these can be really serious and you have to be careful about who it is.” — Sarah Adams [23:05]
7. Post-Event Dangers
[25:00-28:00]
- Win or lose, celebrations can spiral into riots, shootings, arson, and large-scale vandalism.
- Super Bowl parades in cities like Philadelphia and Kansas City historically have turned violent post-game.
8. Human Trafficking Risks
[28:00-32:00]
- Large events attract demand criminals, including human traffickers.
- Raising awareness and reporting suspicious activity can save lives.
- Sarah shares how volunteering with “In Our Backyard” during the 2021 Tampa Super Bowl helped find missing children.
Quote:
"After we got the final count…14 of those missing children were no longer missing. That's a really great thing." — Sarah Adams [31:50]
9. Scams and Targeted Drugging
[32:00-34:30]
- Alert to scams involving drugging, particularly in nightlife settings.
- Often targets men, with the goal of theft or fraud.
- Stay vigilant, don’t get separated, and be wary of undue attention in bars or clubs.
Quote:
"If you're not a 10 back home in Ohio, I can tell you for sure you are not a 10 in California." — Sarah Adams [33:40]
(A lighthearted reminder not to be flattered into negligence.)
10. Law Enforcement Politics & Protest Risk
[34:30-39:00]
- Discussion about the controversy of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) supporting Super Bowl security.
- Political tensions could lead to protests, agitation, and digital doxing of law enforcement.
- Such unrest can distract from overall safety and even decrease the number of officers on the ground.
Memorable Moment:
"If we have federal law enforcement to bring to bear to keep a situation safe, it's frustrating that the numbers are going to go down." — Sarah Adams [36:40]
11. Terrorism: The Unlikely but "Top Tier" Threat
[39:00-43:00]
- No successful, coordinated terrorist attacks have targeted the Super Bowl to date, but it remains a highly attractive symbolic target.
- The typical concern is not so much organized plots but inspired “lone wolf” and domestic terrorism threats.
- Local, state, and federal law enforcement continue to prepare for this tier, with monitoring occurring for months prior.
Quote:
"We have kind of this layered security in these defenses, which really help put at least a big chunk of the terrorist threat piece of this to bay." — Sarah Adams [41:50]
Actionable Safety Tips
- Be mindful of your environment—risks aren’t just at the main event but in all surrounding areas.
- Don’t overshare in real time on social media; delay posts for safety.
- Beware of digital threats: don’t use unknown Wi-Fi networks or scan random QR codes.
- Double-check emails and texts—use official apps/websites, especially for tickets or travel.
- Report suspicious activity, especially related to human trafficking.
- Stay together with companions and watch your personal effects in nightlife/party scenes.
- Expect the unpredictable—be ready to react quickly to protests, riots, or sudden incidents.
Conclusion
Sarah closes by emphasizing preparedness:
"At the end of the day, this is America. We want you to get out there, we want you to enjoy the event, enjoy the activities, be smart, be safe. Always think of being prepared." — Sarah Adams [43:00]
The episode is both a warning and an empowering guide for those venturing into major events, blending sobering analysis with actionable advice and Sarah Adams' trademark blend of expertise and wit.