Super Bowl organizers and law enforcement have beefed up security ahead of the Feb. 9 showdown in New Orleans following the New Year's Day terrorist attack.
Hundreds of thousands of fans will travel to Louisiana next month for the biggest night on the US sports calendar.
“We have significantly increased our security posture so that people can come here and they can see a strong police presence,” said Eric DeLaune, special agent in charge of homeland security investigations in New Orleans. he told ESPN.
'My goal was that you couldn't walk a block in downtown New Orleans without encountering at least one law enforcement officer. I'm not trying to scare people. “I want people to see that we are prepared.”
The report adds that SWAT team members, armored vehicles and special agents on rooftops will be part of the security effort in NOLA.
Added NFL security director Cathy Lanier: “I'd like to say it doesn't change our security planning much, but it does change things.” Are we doing something different? Of course.'
Super Bowl security is being stepped up in New Orleans after the recent terrorist attack.
New Orleans Superdome prepares to host Super Bowl on February 9
The New Year's attack occurred when a man who had been radicalized by ISIS was driving a truck through New Orleans' popular French Quarter.
This caused the postponement of the Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia for almost 24 hours in the city's Superdome, which will also host the Super Bowl.
Organizers are also launching a campaign this week to encourage the public to report any suspicious activity.
“A lot of times people are intimidated by the process of reporting things because they're worried about looking stupid if it turns out to be nothing,” DeLaune said.
'We're not worried about that. We want you to know that if you see something that worries you, if there is something strange or different, speak up. Let us know.'
For NFL teams still in the playoffs, the road to New Orleans intensifies this weekend.
The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, seeking a third straight Super Bowl title, host the Houston Texans at Arrowhead on Saturday before the Detroit Lions host the Washington Commanders.
On Sunday, the Rams head to Philadelphia for what could be a snowy game against the Eagles.
Then, in the biggest game of the weekend, the Buffalo Bills host the Baltimore Ravens.
The winner of that game will face the Chiefs, while the Lions or Commanders will play the Eagles or Rams to punch their ticket to New Orleans.