Whether you bleed blue for the Patriots, wave the 12th Man flag for the Seahawks, or are just tuning in for the commercials and the halftime show, the ritual is familiar: good food, high stakes, and usually, a few adult beverages. But for many American workers, the party doesn't stop when the confetti falls—and the aftermath can be rough.
According to a new study from the sports betting experts at Action Network, the combination of absenteeism and sluggish, hungover employees could cost the economy a staggering **$1.96 billion** on the Monday following the Super Bowl. And if the game is a nail-biter that runs late or goes into overtime? That price tag is likely to climb even higher.
By the Numbers
The data paints a clear picture of why productivity takes such a hit. In a survey of 3,000 NFL fans, nearly one in five admitted they expected to consume five or more drinks during the game. Consequently, one-third of respondents said they have called in sick—or plan to—on the Monday after the big game.
When you extrapolate those results to the estimated 43% of U.S. adults who watch the game, the scale of the "sick day" becomes massive. The study estimates that **7.63 million people** will take Monday off entirely. Another **4.92 million** are expected to show up, but admit they will fall short of their usual productivity levels due to the festivities.
Who Calls in Sick the Most?
Interestingly, the study identified Mississippi as the state most likely to call in sick on Super Bowl Monday. However, we have to throw a flag on that call—surely the die-hard fans in New England and Seattle, with much more emotional skin in the game, are just as likely (if not more) to need a recovery day.
Action Network isn’t the only organization crunching these numbers, either. Human resources tech firm UKG offers an even steeper projection. They predict that **13.1 million people** will take the day off, an increase over last year's 12.9 million.
The shifting schedules don't stop there. UKG found that 6.5 million employees plan to swap shifts with a coworker (up significantly from 4.8 million last year), and nearly 4.9 million workers plan to show up late without notifying their manager. All told, UKG estimates this will result in more than **$5.2 billion** in lost work and productivity.
The Takeaway for Leaders
The lesson here for business leaders is undeniable: pop culture doesn't pause for the work week, and these major events don't just happen once a year. As UKG notes, for organizations with large frontline teams, attendance pressure will continue to rise anytime major moments capture employees' attention.
Planning for the "Super Bowl Hangover" might just be the new normal for HR departments across the country.