Anticipation builds for what could be San Jose's biggest money-making weekend

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - Thousands of fans and media will be at the SAP Center on February 1 for Super Bowl's official opening night. Banners are popping up around town promoting Super Bowl 50 and South Bay businesses want in.

The excitement is building for Super Bowl 50 at San Jose's San Pedro Square. Businesses are staffing up for what could arguably be the city's biggest money-making weekend.

"We've been actually planning the last week in December, gearing up some new menu items and getting some new equipment ordered," said Daryle Lupretta of Lou's Beach Shack.

All hands are on deck at Lou's Beach Shack within walking distance of the SAP Center. San Pedro Square is one of the main attractions for visitors.

"We are doing a Super San Pedro event," said Scott Knies of the San Jose Downtown Association. "We will be closing the street. We are going to have turf laid out in the middle off the street with baskets and nerf footballs."

The transformation is happening at Plaza de Cesar Chavez for a beer garden, light displays and other outdoor festivities.

"I'm excited," said Mike Mueller of San Jose. "It's going to be crazy here."

We'll know by the end of this weekend if it will be the Carolina Panthers or the Arizona Cardinals staying at the San Jose Marriot. The Marriot and Fairmont Downtown are sold out for Super Bowl weekend.

A new player hoping to get into the game are Airbnb hosts. Matthew Lee's home is less than a mile away from Levi's Stadium. He's offering his master bedroom and his car for the Super Bowl for $3,000 a night.

"Better chance than the lottery I think to cash in on something like this," said Lee. "Looking around, the prices are pretty high so why not give it a shot."

So far, no takers but he's optimistic. All of them want to be a part of the Super Bowl experience. However, there's one wish for Super Bowl week.

"I know we need the rain," said Lupretta. "We need a few days of not so much."