Sports Stadium TFRs: Understanding Stadium Rules and Super Bowl Airspace Restrictions

Stadium TFRs can be tricky to understand and locate, making them a potential pitfall for drone pilots. As drone technology grows in popularity, operators must navigate these complex airspace restrictions—especially near sports stadiums, where TFRs are frequently in place but not always easy to spot in standard flight planning tools.

Stadium TFRs: What You Need to Know

Under FDC NOTAM 4/3621, the FAA prohibits drone flights within 3 nautical miles (NM) and up to 3,000 feet AGL over stadiums with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more during major sporting events. This includes:

✅ NFL, MLB, NCAA Division I Football, and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events

✅ Active from 1 hour before until 1 hour after the event

These restrictions apply nationwide but aren’t always visible in flight planning apps. Because they are issued as blanket NOTAMs rather than individual event-based stadium TFRs, they may not appear in tools that rely solely on real-time NOTAM data. This common pitfall has led many drone pilots to fly in restricted airspace during sporting events unknowingly.

How AutoPylot Enhances Stadium Awareness

Being an FAA-approved provider of LAANC and B4UFLY, AutoPylot provides stadium advisories directly in-app. When planning a flight:

✅ Stadiums are marked on the AutoPylot map, ensuring pilots see potential restrictions.

✅ If a flight falls within 3 NM of a stadium, AutoPylot issues a Stadium Warning, notifying the pilot of the restriction.

✅ The warning identifies the specific stadium, allowing pilots to verify event schedules before proceeding.

This added layer of awareness ensures that drone operators using AutoPylot are better informed than those relying solely on standard NOTAM-based tools.

Super Bowl LIX TFR: Strict Airspace Limits

The FAA implements custom stadium TFRs with heightened restrictions for major events like the Super Bowl. Given the magnitude of the event, these TFRS are visible on the FAAs TFR website and in FAA-approved apps like AutoPylot. The restrictions for Super Bowl LIX are as follows;

🏟️ Super Bowl LIX (February 9, 2025) at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans will have an expanded TFR:

🚫 10 NM inner core: No drone operations allowed from;

• February 5 between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. 
• February 6 between noon and 11 p.m. 
• February 7 between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. 
• February 8 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m

🚫 30 NM outer ring: No drone operations on Sunday, February 9.

• Restrictions begin at 1:30 p.m. CST within 1.5 nautical miles of the stadium up to 2,000 feet in altitude. 
• The restrictions expand between 4:30 and 10:30 p.m. CST to a 30-nautical-mile radius and up to 18,000 feet in altitude. 

During the Super Bowl stadium TFRs, drones are also prohibited around the downtown area during the days leading up to the event. Drone operators who enter the restricted areas without permission could face drone confiscation, fines up to $75,000, and potential criminal prosecution. 

Final Takeaways for Drone Pilots:

✅ Use AutoPylot for stadium visibility and information during flight planning.

✅ Check FAA TFR Listings (tfr.faa.gov) to verify TFRs before the flight.

✅ Familiarize Yourself with FDC NOTAM 4/3621 when operating near stadiums.

✅ Be extra cautious during major events like the Super Bowl—these restrictions are highly enforced.

By staying informed and using tools like AutoPylot, drone operators can fly safely and legally while avoiding costly violations.

For more information
FAA SuperBowl Flight Info
Temporary Flight Restrictions
Stadium Notam