Hats off to Eli and the Giants for their victory in Super Bowl XLVI. But two years from now, when the Super Bowl is played in the Meadowlands, the game could amount to an even bigger victory for Hoboken’s residents.

Ever since honoring the memory of September 11th with an opening day “Taps” ceremony at Pier A, the National Football League and Hoboken have been cultivating a working relationship—with an eye on the upcoming Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.

With that in mind, the City of Hoboken sent representatives on a fact-finding mission to Indianapolis last week. Among them was 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino, who says, “With the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in two years, Hoboken could do one of two things—ignore this opportunity or look for any ways that Hoboken can directly benefit. Because it’s not just the city [government] itself that has the potential to benefit from the revenue generated from the Super Bowl, but the businesses and residents.”

Why Hoboken?

With countless events leading up to the Super Bowl, and countless attendees in need of food, lodging and entertainment, Hoboken is poised to serve as an ideal location for those looking to straddle the geographic divide between New York City and the Meadowlands.

“One comment that we heard over and over again was how Indy was such a successful location for the Super Bowl because everything was walkable,” says Giattino, adding, “this is also true of Hoboken, in addition to the fact that we already have a built-in transportation infrastructure.”

In visiting this year’s Super Bowl host city, the Hoboken contingent was able to get a sense of what the NFL and its sponsors may need in reference to what we as a community could provide. According to Giattino, “we were able to find out what type of venues Hoboken can host and see firsthand what type of footprint and facilities these venues require.”

What’s the Game Plan?

While 2014 may seem a long way off for offensive coordinators, the front office is looking to make some moves straight away. Thankfully Hoboken’s mission to Indianapolis yielded some tangible results. “We met with a woman who works for the NFL and will be on the Super Bowl Host Committee in 2014,” says Councilwoman Giattino. “By making these contacts we were able to put Hoboken on the radar screen with the NFL.”

Soon after the tickertape settles, the planning begins in earnest. “The NFL Committee starts looking in March 2012 for locations to host events. I will meet with them in March and show them around Hoboken, so they will be able to see firsthand that Hoboken is the crossroads between NYC and the Meadowlands, thereby making it the ideal location for many of the events,” says Giattino.

Game on, Hoboken…