Should Super Bowl Monday Be a National Holiday? Record Numbers of Employees Plan to Skip Work

The Monday after the Super Bowl has long been notorious for employee absences. This year, a record-breaking number of American workers are expected to take the day off, sparking renewed discussions about whether it should become an official holiday.

The Day After the Super Bowl: A Growing Trend of Absences

Beyond the usual flu, norovirus, or seasonal colds, another phenomenon occurs after Super Bowl Sunday—millions of employees call in sick or skip work. Whether fueled by post-game celebrations or the disappointment of a loss, an estimated 22.6 million U.S. employees plan to miss work on Super Bowl Monday, marking a 40% increase from the previous year, according to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll for The Workforce Institute at UKG.

This figure is also 20% higher than two years ago, highlighting a growing trend of employees opting out of work after the big game. Of those planning to be absent, only 2% intend to call in sick, while another 2% will avoid notifying their employer, effectively “ghosting” their workplace.

Super Bowl Excitement: More Than Just Football

Not everyone tunes in just for the game. Some watch for the highly anticipated commercials, while others are drawn to the halftime show featuring top musical acts this year. Additionally, some fans are eager to glimpse Taylor Swift, who is dating Chiefs star Travis Kelce. With these added entertainment factors, Super Bowl parties are becoming more significant than ever, further impacting work attendance the next day.

Pre-planned absences and Adjusted Work Schedules

While some employees call in sick, others take a more strategic approach. The poll estimates that:

• 12.9 million employees will request a pre-approved day off.
• 4.8 million workers will swap shifts with colleagues to avoid working on Monday.
• Due to the previous night’s festivities, 12.9 million employees will arrive late to work.

Companies are becoming more aware of this growing trend and are improving communication around time-off requests. 55% of employees in 2025 reported feeling comfortable asking for the day off, compared to 50% in 2023. This increase in transparency allows businesses to better plan for staffing needs on what has become a notorious day for unplanned absences.

Should Super Bowl Monday Be a National Holiday?

Making Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday has been gaining traction for years. Nicknamed “Super Sick Monday,” the post-game slump costs employers billions in lost productivity annually, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a leading outplacement and career transitioning firm.

Advocates for the holiday argue that Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most significant events in American culture, and the following day should be reserved for rest and recovery. Since 2017, multiple petitions have circulated on Change.org, urging the NFL, Congress, or the President to recognize Super Bowl Monday as a public holiday.

Momentum for a Super Bowl Holiday Grows

The push for Super Bowl Monday to become an official holiday is picking up steam. Some local and state governments are taking action:

• Charles County, Maryland, recently approved Super Bowl Monday as an official holiday for county employees.
• A proposed bill in Indiana would designate the day as “American Professional Football Day,” making it a state-recognized holiday.

Indiana State Representative Mitch Gore, a bill co-author, emphasized the importance of giving workers a day to unwind and enjoy time with friends and family. He noted that a non-controversial, unifying holiday could bring people together after enduring a pandemic and increasing societal divisions.

Businesses Are Taking Notice

Brands and advertisers are also addressing the post-Super Bowl slump with special promotions:

• Coors Light is running a commercial featuring sloths, humorously acknowledging the sluggish feeling of “Super Bowl Monday.”
• Chipotle is offering free guacamole and chips to Chipotle Rewards members who purchase a full-priced entrée.
• Denny’s and Starbucks are giving away free coffee to help tired employees power through their Monday shifts.

An Alternative Solution: Moving the Super Bowl to Presidents’ Day Weekend

While Super Bowl Monday may never officially become a national holiday, an alternative solution has been proposed. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has floated the idea of an 18-game regular season, pushing the Super Bowl to Presidents’ Day weekend. Since many Americans already have the following Monday off, this schedule change would provide a post-game recovery day without establishing a new holiday.

“Dropping one preseason game and adding an extra regular-season matchup to align the Super Bowl with Presidents’ Day isn’t unreasonable,” Goodell stated. This plan would ensure millions of football fans could enjoy Super Bowl Sunday without work stress the next day.