A New Chapter on Football’s Biggest Stage: Why This Super Bowl Will Be a Very Different Experience for Olivia Culpo as Spotlight Shifts Beyond the Game
Christian McCaffrey will be on grill duty for his San Francisco 49ers teammates while the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots face off in Super Bowl 2026 in Santa Clara, according to his wife, Olivia Culpo.
In an interview with The Post, Culpo — who attended the Super Bowl in 2024 and 2025 — said she’s excited to host family and friends at their Los Angeles home for the big game this year.
“I’m going to host the Super Bowl with my family, so I will probably be in L.A. instead of San Francisco. I’m excited to throw a little party, though,” Culpo said while speaking on behalf of her partnership with Heluva Good! Dip.
Olivia Culpo opened up to The Post on her Super Bowl 2026 plans with her husband, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model supported the 49ers running back at Super Bowl 2024 in Las Vegas, where San Francisco suffered a 25-22 loss in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The following year, Culpo hosted the first-ever red carpet show for Fox Sports at Super Bowl 2025 in New Orleans.
It will be a more laid-back Super Bowl Sunday for Culpo this year.
Olivia Culpo at Super Bowl 2024 in Las Vegas, where the San Francisco 49ers suffered a 25-22 loss in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Olivia Culpo hosted the first-ever red carpet show for Fox Sports at Super Bowl 2025 in New Orleans, which streamed on Tubi.
“It’s going to be probably a combination of Christian’s friends and teammates and my family,” the former Miss Universe said of her Super Bowl 2026 party.
“… Since Christian will be here, we have a lot of things from the grill. I feel like guys always want a ton of protein.”
Culpo — who is the host of “Next Gen Chef,” a Netflix cooking competition series — shared a few dishes she considers “non-negotiable” at her parties.
“I usually love to have calzones and pizza and chicken wings,” the model, 33, said. “Those are the non-negotiables. And then for dessert,… ice cream cookies are just the best — probably ice cream to make your own sundae brownie that Sunday.”
Culpo added that she and daughter Colette, born in July 2025, are swapping their 49ers gear for matching pajamas since “we’re neutral” football fans this year.
Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey and their daughter Colette at Disneyland in California in December 2025.
“I just got these matching Valentine’s Day pajamas for my niece, my daughter and me. So I think that that’s what we’ll wear — Valentine’s Day clothes, we’re neutral,” she said. “I don’t really care who wins… We’re 49ers fans.”
San Francisco’s season, which was plagued with injuries, came to an end after a 41-6 loss to the top-seeded Seahawks in the NFC divisional round game on Jan. 17.
McCaffrey, 29, was injured in the first half after he collided with Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV, and briefly returned before exiting for good in the third quarter as the game spiraled out of control.
Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Nick Emmanwori #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
He had nine carries for 29 yards and five receptions for 39 yards receiving in the first half before the injury.
Culpo explained that the All-Pro running back has changed his perspective on losses since becoming a father.
“Well, first and foremost, I have always been worried about his health and safety,” she said of supporting McCaffrey after the playoff loss.
“If he’s feeling good and if I notice, ‘Okay, he’s walking okay or he doesn’t look too banged up.’ I’m really excited and happy. And he feels that way too.
(L-R) Kristin Juszczyk, Olivia Culpo, Lucio Andreozzi, and Sophia Culpo at the 49ers-Falcons game at Levi’s Stadium on October 19, 2025.
“I think ultimately it’s just such a physical sport that you just want to be healthy enough to reach the goals that you have for yourself… I think just being there for him and definitely being sensitive to the fact that it does mean a lot and sometimes he will be upset. Having a baby there really has changed that and made everything feel a little bit more grounded and light — and just have a better perspective because… win or lose, you still have to show up for her.”
Culpo gushed over her first NFL season as a mom, adding it’s been “so special” to bring Colette to see her dad during warmups at 49ers home games at Levi’s Stadium.
The family of four (including their Toy Golden Doodle, Oliver) is often seen hugging on the sidelines.
“I always knew he would be a really good dad because he’s just a really good person,” Culpo said.”And his parents [Lisa and former NFL wideout Ed McCaffrey] are just a great example.
“But I feel like I’m happy for the perspective that it’s able to give him, especially with his career. He takes it so seriously. If there’s a loss, there’s all sorts of emotions and ups and downs, and it’s kind of a way to keep things in perspective and it truly [means that you] don’t sweat the small stuff. So I’m very grateful for that.”
McCaffrey had a stellar season after he played just four games in 2024 due to injuries.
He started all 17 games, rushing the ball 311 times for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven touchdowns.
Culpo and McCaffrey tied the knot in a star-studded Rhode Island affair in June 2024.
The pair, who have been together since 2019, got engaged in April 2023.
