NFL Selects Minneapolis To Host '18 Super Bowl In Surprise Move

In a big surprise, Minneapolis won the right to host Super Bowl LII in '18, on the fourth vote by NFL owners this afternoon. New Orleans had long been considered the favorite. Indianapolis was eliminated first, and Minneapolis won when the voting went to simple majority. Minneapolis will have a new stadium by '16, and the NFL often awards Super Bowls to cities with new stadiums, especially those paid with public money like in Minneapolis.

New Orleans is celebrating its 300th anniversary in '18, and aging Saints Owner Tom Benson, hobbled by knee surgery, made the visit to Atlanta to pitch the bid. The New Orleans bid committee appeared confident after their presentation, but in the end, the new stadium in Minnesota proved too much. It is the first time New Orleans has ever lost a Super Bowl vote.