BACtrack Consumption Report - Super Bowl 2016
For the sixth time, BACtrack shares consumer Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) data for review and analysis. The data provides insight into alcohol consumption patterns around the nation, and is regularly updated and analyzed.
In this report, we examine average BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) levels during during Super Bowl 50. Our report also includes average BAC results and photos from various Super Bowl fan events and pre-game parties that took place around San Francisco, our headquarters, and the host city for the Super Bowl.
BAC data points are collected anonymously from users of BACtrack Mobile, BACtrack's award-winning smartphone breathalyzer, and BACtrack Vio.
Notable insights are detailed below. View the full results as well as results and a photo gallery from BAC testing at San Francisco Super Bowl-related events.
The Big Game Equates to Big Drinking
- BAC levels during Super Bowl game time (3:00 PM to 8:00 PM PST) averaged .079%
- Super Bowl Sunday 2015 BAC levels averaged only .057%
- People possibly imbibed more due to the defense-heavy nature of the game; less action means more drinking
- The average BAC level for non-holiday Sundays in 2015 was 0.053%; game time average BAC is 50 percent higher
- During the game, Carolina Panther fans (0.080%) had higher average BAC levels than Denver Bronco fans (0.062%)
Fans’ BAC Levels Started High and Peaked in Q4
- Pre-game average BAC (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM PST) was 0.039% and increased to 0.072% by 3:00 PM
- Average BAC at halftime averaged 0.071%
- Average BAC peaked at 0.084% by the end of Q4, and the Broncos were the champs
- Average BAC post-game (9:00 PM PST) was still high at 0.075%
San Francisco Bay Area Fans Out-Drank All Others
- San Francisco Bay Area fans average BAC during the game was 0.11%, and peaked at 0.12% at the end of the halftime show
- This level is double the average non-holiday Sunday BAC (0.053%), and well above the legal limit of 0.08%
BACtrack ‘Referees’ were stationed at Super Bowl fan-related spots and top parties in San Francisco leading up to the Super Bowl
- At the Rolling Stone Magazine Party, the average BAC was the highest, at 0.110%
- At the Maxim Magazine Party, the average BAC was 0.066%
- At Metallica’s ‘The Night Before’ concert at AT&T Park, the average BAC was 0.076%
- Super Bowl City had a mix of drinkers and non-drinkers, with BAC averaging 0.041% on Thursday night, and 0.54% during Saturday afternoon
- NFL Experience had the lowest average BAC, attendees of this family-friendly event averaged 0.023% BAC
- On Super Bowl Sunday, Bronco and Panther fan bars averaged 0.092% and 0.090% BAC, respectively
See all BACtrack Referee party photos and average BAC results from all events on the BACtrack site.
Final Insights
- With a defense-oriented match up, and commercials considered less exciting than years past, Super Bowl fans took to drinking earlier, and continued to drink through the game
- With the San Francisco Bay Area’s massive adoption of Uber and Lyft, and a comprehensive public transportation system, higher BACs could be attributed to the fact fans had no need to get behind the wheel
Previous BACtrack Consumption Reports
The purpose of sharing BACtrack Consumption Reports is to provide insight into alcohol consumption habits around the nation so consumers may consider the effects of alcohol, and make smarter decisions when drinking.
Methodology
Data for the BACtrack Consumption Report was collected anonymously from users of the BACtrack app, which syncs with BACtrack Mobile and BACtrack Vio smartphone breathalyzers. Data used in the report was only collected from users with data storage activated, location services turned on, and does not represent data from all users. Data represents over 5,000 unique BAC tests collected from Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 3:00 PM to Sunday, February 7, 2016 from 9:00 PM PST.
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How a BACtrack Works
When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed from the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines into the bloodstream.
As blood flows through the lungs, alcohol in the bloodstream moves across the membranes of the lung’s air sacs (alveoli) into the air. The concentration of the alcohol in the alveolar air is directly related to the concentration of the alcohol in the blood. As the alveolar air is exhaled, the alcohol in it can be detected by the breath alcohol testing device.
BACtrack Mobile and BACtrack Vio Smartphone Breathalyzers
All data in this study was collected from the BACtrack Mobile, BACtrack's award-winning smartphone breathalyzer with police-grade Xtend®Fuel Cell Sensor Technology, and BACtrack Vio, BACtrack's newest smartphone breathalyzer model. When a user blows into BACtrack Mobile or BACtrack Vio, BAC results are wirelessly transmitted via Bluetooth® to an iOS or Android device, including Apple Watch. With the free BACtrack companion app, a user can get more than a simple BAC result -- they can track, save and share BAC results, attach a note or photo to a result, and with BACtrack's ZeroLine® feature, get an estimate of when their BAC will return to 0.00%.
About BACtrack
San Francisco-based BACtrack is the leader in breathalyzers, offering a full range of innovative products for both personal and professional use. Founded in 2001, BACtrack helps people monitor their blood alcohol content and make informed decisions about alcohol consumption. In April 2013, BACtrack launched BACtrack Mobile, the world's first smartphone breathalyzer that uses fuel cell sensor technology and Bluetooth connectivity and has since won Popular Science's 'Best of What's New' Award for its innovation in health. Additionally, BACtrack was rated the #1 breathalyzer brand by Car and Driver Magazine. BACtrack breathalyzers are available in 20 countries and at over 15,000 store locations including Walgreens, Costco, Best Buy, Target, Rite Aid, and Pep Boys. BACtrack products can also be purchased online at BACtrack.com, Amazon, Walmart.com and Target.com. BACtrack products have been featured on Oprah's All Stars, The Dr. Phil Show, The Doctors, and MythBusters. Connect with BACtrack via Twitter and on Facebook. For more company information, explore our site, www.bactrack.com.