FAA and FBI Establish Federal ‘No Drone Zones’ Ahead of Super Bowl LX

Federal aviation and law-enforcement authorities have declared extensive temporary flight restrictions across Northern California ahead of Super Bowl LX, placing unmanned aircraft operations under one of the most restrictive airspace control regimes used for a domestic sporting event.

The Federal Aviation Administration, working in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, confirmed that a layered series of federally enforced no-drone zones will surround Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara as well as multiple high-traffic locations in San Francisco during Super Bowl week. The restrictions are designed to protect aviation safety, critical infrastructure, and large public gatherings during an event classified as a National Special Security Event.

Under the established framework, the FAA has activated temporary flight restrictions that prohibit all unauthorized drone operations within defined radii and altitude ceilings during specified time windows. The FBI is operating alongside the FAA under statutory authority that allows federal agencies to detect, track, and assess unmanned aircraft that enter restricted airspace. Federal personnel from both agencies are deployed full-time throughout the restricted periods to identify potential threats, determine operator location, and assess intent.

Authorities confirmed that enforcement will not be passive. The FBI is authorized to employ specialized counter-UAS capabilities to address unauthorized drone flights, including actions intended to move aircraft out of restricted airspace while preserving evidence for enforcement proceedings. Drone operators who violate the restrictions may face civil penalties reaching $75,000, seizure of aircraft and control equipment, and potential federal criminal charges. Federal officials emphasized that identification of operators can occur even if the aircraft is recovered after landing, as detection systems are designed to link airframes, control signals, and operator locations.

The restricted airspace schedule begins several days prior to the game and covers multiple venues associated with Super Bowl events and public gatherings. From February 3 through February 7, temporary flight restrictions will be in effect over locations including the Moscone Center, The Pearl, the Ferry Building, and Grace Cathedral, generally enforcing a two-nautical-mile radius with an altitude ceiling of 2,000 feet above ground level during afternoon and evening hours, expanding to near-continuous coverage on February 5, 6, and 7. A separate restriction will apply to the Palace of Fine Arts on February 5, enforcing a one-nautical-mile radius capped at 1,000 feet.

On game day, February 8, airspace restrictions intensify. A two-nautical-mile, 2,000-foot ceiling restriction will be active around Levi’s Stadium beginning late morning. This will expand during the core event window into a 30-nautical-mile no-drone zone reaching up to 18,000 feet, reflecting the highest level of airspace protection used for major national events. Following the game, the restriction will contract back to a two-nautical-mile radius through the evening.

Federal officials reiterated that these restrictions apply regardless of drone size, registration status, or recreational versus commercial use. Certified pilots, hobbyists, and credentialed operators are all subject to the same prohibitions unless explicitly authorized through federal security channels. The FAA stated that automated airspace authorization tools and standard recreational exceptions do not apply within temporary flight restriction zones established for Super Bowl LX.

Authorities characterized the measures as preventative rather than reactive, citing past incidents where unauthorized drones interfered with emergency operations, commercial aviation, and secured venues. The federal posture for Super Bowl LX reflects a broader shift toward integrated airspace security, combining regulatory authority with real-time detection and enforcement capabilities.

The FAA has issued a formal Super Bowl LX Flight Advisory outlining the restrictions, and federal agencies urged drone operators to review airspace conditions carefully and leave unmanned aircraft grounded throughout the restricted periods. Unauthorized flights, officials warned, will be treated as federal violations, not minor infractions.

Additional details are available in the Super Bowl LX Flight Advisory.

Detailed information for general aviation and drone pilots is available on the FAA’s Super Bowl LX webpage.

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