This year’s Super Bowl will create waves not just on the field but also in workplaces across the U.S. An estimated 22.6 million employees plan to miss work on Monday, February 12, 2025, following the big game, setting a new record for absenteeism.
This figure is a big jump from last year’s record of 18.8 million, which also coincided with the Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The data comes from UKG’s longstanding absenteeism survey, which has tracked the impact of the Super Bowl on employee attendance for two decades. The surge in absences is connected to the cultural significance of the Super Bowl, with millions of Americans opting to forgo their work commitments in favour of post-game recovery.
In addition to the 22.6 million employees planning to take the day off, an estimated 12.9 million will arrive late to work on Monday. This trend indicates that the post-Super Bowl fatigue is not limited to those who missed work entirely.
The survey also reveals that employees have various strategies for managing their absence, including calling in sick (approximately 3.2 million) and simply not informing their employers (another 3.2 million).
With nearly half of employed Americans believing that the Monday after the Super Bowl should be a national holiday, the growing call for recognition of this day reflects the changing attitudes toward work-life balance in the face of such major cultural events.