Fans journey to Santa Clara for Super Bowl 50

Getting to Super Bowl 50 was a journey for nearly every single one of the nearly 75,000 people who attended the big game Sunday. Each fan with an interesting story.

For Andrew Rapinchuk, Palmer Thomas and Boomer Bate, the ride to Super Bowl 50 spans over 1,200 miles.

“Once the Broncos won and once the Panthers won, we knew we had to come out,” said Rapinchuk.

The three friends (two Broncos fans and a Panthers fan) hitch-hiked from Denver all the way to Santa Clara. We met up with them outside Levi’s Stadium holding signs that read, “Need Free Tickets!” and singing, “I wanna go to the Super Bowl!”

Not all fans hitch-hiked, but some did travel from other countries.

“We drove 18 hours straight from Vancouver just for the atmosphere,” said Cole Prodan, “Vancouver, Canada! Not Washington,” his friend yelled out from behind him.

No matter the distance, fans we spoke to say it was all worth it.

“It has been great, said Alica Gray, “it has been great weather, and the whole NFL experience in downtown San Francisco has been great!

But it was not all fun and games. Traffic around the stadium was a mess.

“The traffic has been like the traffic in LA,” said Ardania Johnson, “I thought I was on the 405!”

Ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft were options, but with surge pricing it could cost a pretty penny.

It was the same story for bike-cabs. One driver said he was charging $50 per person.

Regardless, fans say the game was unforgettable experience.

And after all, Rapinchuk, Thomas and Bate, say it is all about the ride… not necessary the destination.