MetLife Stadium’s massive Super Bowl makeover

Even if Super Bowl XLVIII isnt blasted by a blizzard, you probably wont recognize MetLife Stadium come the night of Feb. 2.

Though every stadium that hosts the Big Game gets a makeover, the first 47 likely will pale in comparison to the transformation the NFL has in mind some of it out of necessity for the first Super Bowl to be held outdoors in the Northeast.

How big? It will require more than 10,000 workers starting a full month in advance and potentially battling the elements to get the 82,500-seat stadium ready for its much-anticipated close-up.

Its clearly going to be a historic occasion, said Frank Supovitz, who oversees the Super Bowl as the NFLs senior vice president of events. Theres a first time for everything, and you only have one chance to get it right the first time. Thats why were all so incredibly focused on every last detail we see coming.

The Giants and Jets pain both host teams ended up missing the postseason will be the NFLs gain, at least in terms of getting the four-year-old stadium ready for the Super Bowl.

With no local playoff games to get in the way, the overhaul of the building and the massive perimeter required by the Department of Homeland Security for a Level 1 national security event was set to begin Thursday, just four days after the Giants ended their season at home against the Redskins.

The perimeter, which must be a minimum of 300 feet from the stadium, is the main reason the NFL needs so much construction lead time.

The perimeter will be 2 / miles of chain-link fence ranging from six to eight feet high, with welcome pavilions containing 130 metal detectors that will be constructed just outside those fences where fans will have their tickets scanned and go through security on game day.

Security outside the Superdome in New Orleans, the site of Super Bowl XXXVI .Photo: AP

The league also will have vehicle inspection areas constructed inside the perimeter to make sure everything and they do mean everything, in light of the Boston Marathon bombings delivered to the stadium gets a computer screening.

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MetLife Stadium’s massive Super Bowl makeover

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