Record numbers of 26.2 million U.S. employees are expected to miss work on Super Bowl Monday according to UKG survey

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Super Bowl Monday is shaping up to break attendance records—not in stadiums, but in offices across the United States. According to UKG’s annual Super Bowl Absenteeism Survey, an estimated 26.21 million U.S. employees plan to miss work on the Monday following the big game, surpassing last year’s record of 22.6 million and potentially costing businesses more than $5.2 billion in lost productivity. For the second consecutive year, Super Bowl Fever is having a measurable impact on the American workforce.

The survey, commissioned by UKG—a leading global AI platform unifying HR, payroll, and workforce management—and conducted by The Harris Poll, has tracked Super Bowl-related absenteeism for 20 years. The research offers insights that help organizations plan for shifts in staffing and productivity around one of the country’s most-watched cultural events. While absenteeism may seem disruptive, the study highlights that many employees plan ahead, and employers are increasingly responding with proactive workforce strategies.

The breakdown of planned absences reveals several trends. About 13.1 million employees intend to take a pre-approved day off, a modest increase from 12.9 million in 2025 and up from 10 million in 2024. 6.5 million plan to swap shifts with coworkers, compared to 4.8 million in 2025, reflecting a growing willingness to coordinate schedules. Meanwhile, 3.3 million employees anticipate calling out sick without actually being ill, a figure roughly unchanged from last year. Interestingly, only 1.6 million plan to “ghost” work without notifying their employer—a sharp decline from 3.2 million in 2025, suggesting greater awareness of workplace accountability. Beyond full-day absences, roughly 4.9 million workers plan to arrive late without prior notice.

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“Last year’s record-breaking prediction preceded Super Bowl LIX being the most-watched program in the history of broadcast television — and data shows employees are not only planning ahead for it, but also hoping for an assist from their employer,” said Julie Develin, Senior Partner, HCM Advisory at UKG. “This year it appears that fewer employees plan to ghost work and others are proactively swapping shifts. That kind of workforce understanding and insights is a net positive because unplanned absences can quickly add up — potentially costing businesses more than $5 billion in lost productivity.”

Employers are increasingly building “game-winning playbooks” to manage absenteeism. More than half of employees (56%) said that if managers started planning coverage weeks in advance, last-minute call-outs could be reduced. Additionally, 54% noted that clear communication from supervisors about coverage expectations would make them less likely to skip work. Encouragingly, 67% of employees feel their managers do a good job recognizing how pop culture events, holidays, and other external factors affect work. On the management side, nearly two-thirds of managers (63%) reported they plan to ask employees directly about their Super Bowl time-off plans, up from 56% in 2025.

Despite the planning, not everyone has made up their mind. Roughly 8.2 million employees say they will make a last-minute decision about whether to work, leaving a significant number of businesses navigating uncertainty just days before the game. “That’s a lot of people waiting on the sidelines over their plans for Super Bowl Monday. There’s still time to drive active conversations with employees to ensure the business is covered,” Develin added.

The survey also highlights a cultural trend: nearly half of employees (48%) believe Super Bowl Monday should be a national holiday, up from 43% in 2025. With Super Bowl LXI scheduled to coincide with Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day weekend, this double-holiday weekend may pose additional challenges for employers trying to maintain coverage while respecting employee preferences.

Frontline-heavy organizations, such as healthcare, retail, and manufacturing, face particular challenges. While many employees can plan ahead for time off or shift swaps, essential services still require coverage. The combination of Super Bowl Monday, overlapping holidays, and increasing absenteeism underscores the importance of proactive planning, flexible scheduling, and communication between managers and staff.

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In the broader picture, the UKG study reveals a fascinating intersection between workplace culture and popular events. While the Super Bowl is primarily a sporting spectacle, its influence extends into labor markets, organizational planning, and economic impact. Businesses that understand these patterns—and engage employees proactively—can reduce disruptions, maintain productivity, and even foster goodwill among staff by acknowledging cultural moments that matter to their workforce.

With 26.2 million employees potentially missing work, millions of shift swaps, and thousands of late arrivals anticipated, Super Bowl Monday remains a unique event on the U.S. labor calendar. For employees, it’s a chance to enjoy one of the country’s most iconic games. For employers, it’s an annual reminder to plan strategically, communicate clearly, and balance workforce needs with employee morale—all while keeping an eye on the scoreboard of productivity.