American football has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the toughest sports there is. Not only because of the hits, collisions, and physical wear players endure week after week, but also because of its almost defiant relationship with the weather. Heavy rain, extreme cold, wind, or snow are part of the NFL’s usual landscape and rarely a reason to stop a game. In fact, that resistance to bad weather is part of the sport’s DNA and a source of pride for its fans. That’s why, when the possibility of suspending an event as massive as the Super Bowl comes up, the real question isn’t whether it will rain or snow, but what that single condition is that would truly force a halt to the most important spectacle in American football.
Te puede Interesar
Rain or snow won’t stop the NFL
Unlike other leagues, the NFL maintains very clear and strict standards when it comes to postponing or suspending games due to weather conditions. Heavy rain, poor field conditions, or even intense snowfall are usually not enough reasons to stop a game.
On the contrary, the league prides itself on its ability to adapt. Footballs are designed to maintain grip in almost any conditions, and stadiums are equipped with advanced drainage systems and, in many cases, under-field heating to keep the playing surface game-ready.
Rain, cold, or snow usually don’t affect the Super Bowl, although there is a limit the NFL will not cross. | Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
This mindset has become part of American football culture. Seeing players covered in snow or pushing forward on a muddy field is not an exception, but almost a symbol of the sport’s toughness.
The non-negotiable limit
However, even the NFL has clear limits. While it’s common for games to be played under extreme cold warnings or after intense storms, there are strict protocols that require play to stop immediately under certain specific conditions.
The key factor isn’t rain or snow, but electrical activity. The policy is firm: if lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium, the game is automatically suspended. From the moment the last lightning strike is detected, a 30-minute countdown begins. If no additional activity occurs during that time, play can resume. If delays continue, officials have the authority to suspend the game entirely.
A rule that goes beyond American football
These rules are not exclusive to the NFL. They also apply to other major U.S. sports leagues, such as MLS and MLB, where the safety of players, officials, and fans is the top priority. The threat of lightning turns any outdoor event into a real risk, even at the highest-profile competitions.
This becomes especially relevant ahead of Super Bowl LX, which will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, an open-air venue where weather can indeed play a role. It’s not a hypothetical scenario: the last NFL game suspended due to bad weather was the 2025 season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, precisely because of electrical activity.
The Super Bowl would only be suspended if bad weather posed a real risk to everyone in the stadium. | Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
In addition, weather-related interruptions have become more frequent even at the international level. During the 2025 Club World Cup held in the United States, FIFA suspended six matches for the same reason, setting a record.
In short, the Super Bowl can handle rain, cold, or snow without any problem. But there is one single reason that could truly stop it: lightning. In that case, neither tradition, nor the spectacle, nor the importance of the event outweighs safety.
