By JARED COOPER
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The most coveted ticket on Super Bowl Sunday might not be for the game itself.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, taped in New York City, will make a stop in Phoenix at the Orpheum Theatre for a show to be aired following the Feb. 1 game.

Demand for tickets to the show has rivaled the clamor for tickets to the game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.

Within three minutes of an online opportunity Jan. 14 to win free tickets, the Orpheum Theatre was sold out. The theatre has 1,364 seats but a reported 42,000 attempted to land tickets.

But even lucky ticket holders are not guaranteed a seat.

They must wait in line to see the show and may miss the big game. ASU student Rachel Gosselin was “super surprised” to get tickets and is not worried about missing the game. “I don’t watch a lot of football so I wasn’t too sad.”

Ticket distribution begins Super Bowl Sunday at noon and closes at 5 p.m. The taping begins at 9 p.m. The game begins at 4:30 p.m.

Jimmy Fallon has been the popular host of The Tonight Show since February 2014.

“He has so much personality and it always comes through and he’s not afraid to do that,” said Gosselin.

The Orpheum Theatre will give Phoenicians a glimpse of a New York City treat.

“We are excited to showcase the Orpheum on a national level,” said Event Manager Vanessa Gonzalez. “We take a lot of pride in our theater and are excited to showcase the history.”

Constructed in 1927 and opened for the first time in 1929, the Orpheum Theatre was called by The Arizona Republican, now known as the Arizona Republic, an “epoch in Phoenix history.”

The theatre has hosted various events, including President Barack Obama, Broadway shows, rock and commercial concerts and local events.

Now the theatre will add another event to its repertoire. “It will definitely put The Orpheum Theatre on the map for prestigious venues,” said Gonzalez.

The sign above the entrance of the famed Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Phoenix.
Ryan Bafaloukos