The 58th Super Bowl will kick off tonight – with one of many sport’s greatest stars aiming to win his third title, a “Mr Irrelevant” hoping to make historical past, and Taylor Swift anticipated to cheer on her boyfriend from the gang.
Often stuffed with drama, efficiency, politics and showbiz – the fruits of the NFL season is again for one more yr, with tens of millions around the globe set to tune in.
Here’s all you must know forward of the most important recreation of the NFL season.
When is it and the way can I watch?
Super Bowl LVIII might be performed at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, tonight – beginning at 3.30pm native time (11.30pm UK time).
It marks the primary time the NFL’s greatest recreation will happen on the 65,000-capacity stadium, which is house to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tickets have been scarce and costly, so we’re assuming most of you studying this aren’t within the Entertainment Capital of the World for the sport.
Not to fret – you possibly can catch the thrill from the consolation of your personal house as a result of it is set to air on Sky Sports NFL (407) and Sky Sports Main Event (401).
Coverage begins at 10pm UK time.
If you are up late and on the transfer, you too can watch the present with Sky Go – on-line or on NOW TV, with the Sky Sports Day Pass.
Who’s enjoying?
The Kansas City Chiefs have made it to the Super Bowl for the second yr operating.
They are the reigning champions, having crushed the Philadelphia Eagles final yr.
They’ll be taking up the San Francisco 49ers this time round in a rematch of the 2020 season finale, when the Chiefs claimed a 31-20 victory over the 49ers at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
The Chiefs might develop into solely the eighth back-to-back winners and the primary because the New England Patriots in 2004-2005.
Their challengers, who booked their place in Vegas with a shocking second-half comeback from 17 factors down in opposition to the Detroit Lions, are chasing a primary Super Bowl since 1995.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes might be aiming to win his third Super Bowl as he chases down the file seven titles received by Tom Brady.
What can we anticipate from the match?
It’s a extremely anticipated affair, maybe notably for the 49ers, who’ve needed to wait 4 years to get their shot at revenge after shedding to the Chiefs in 2020.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has mentioned: “There’s been some unfinished business for a while. We’ve set out for this for a long time, it’s been a long season. We can’t wait to get to Vegas.”
The Kansas City Chiefs could have the cooler heads, having reached the Super Bowl in 4 of the previous 5 seasons.
Sky Sports NFL analyst Phoebe Schecter has given an early prediction: “I think it’s hard to bet against the Chiefs, they are experienced, they’ve been there so many times compared to a young guy like [49ers quarterback] Brock Purdy.
“But the 49ers defence are unbelievable.”
Why is everyone talking about Taylor Swift?
The Chiefs may have become accustomed to a Super Bowl in recent years, but let’s face it – their fanbase looks a little bit different this time around.
That’s because Taylor Swift has become a regular at Chiefs games since she started dating their star Travis Kelce last year.
The Shake It Off singer’s current tour had dates in Tokyo that ran from 7 February to 10 February, the day before the Super Bowl.
Swift is already in Los Angeles after flying back from Tokyo following her final performance in Japan, according to US media – meaning all she needs to do now is to get to Las Vegas in time for the game.
The fact the Japanese capital is 17 hours ahead of the USA’s west coast means time was on her side as she embarked on her 12-hour flight.
Swifties who are tuning into their very first Super Bowl this year will no doubt be wondering if they’ll spot the pop sensation in the crowd – or better yet, see her take to the stage.
There have been rumours that Swift could perform alongside Usher for a couple of songs, as special guests have been known to do in past shows.
But here’s some bad news for Swift fans: TMZ says sources “with direct data” have informed them the stage is all Usher’s.
Why is ‘Mr Irrelevant’ so vital?
When NFL groups decide faculty gamers within the yearly draft, the final decide of the final spherical is given a somewhat undesirable nickname – “Mr Irrelevant”.
They are gamers NFL scouts see as a bench hotter somewhat than a future star.
However, this yr’s Mr Irrelevant could possibly be about to guide his crew to the NFL’s greatest prize.
Brock Purdy began his profession on the San Francisco 49ers as a third-choice quarterback – however accidents to these forward of him have thrust him into the highlight in his debut season.
Two touchdowns in opposition to the Miami Dolphins made him the primary Mr Irrelevant to attain a landing in a daily season recreation.
If he guides his crew to victory tonight, Purdy will develop into the primary Mr Irrelevant to win a Super Bowl as a beginning quarterback – a vital position in an NFL crew’s offensive unit.
Read extra:
Who is the ‘Mr Irrelevant’ who might win the Super Bowl?
Who will sing the nationwide anthem?
The American soccer present is thought for its showbiz magic and contact of patriotic symbolism.
The nationwide anthem usually marks the opening of the grand occasion and has been a convention yr after yr.
This yr, Reba McEntire, unofficially often known as “the Queen of Country” within the States, might be taking the lead.
The Country Music Hall of Famer could be a Super Bowl novice, however she’s bought extra expertise than most on the subject of singing the nationwide anthem.
The 68-year-old sang it for the primary time in 1974 on the National Finals Rodeo, and has carried out it there one other 9 occasions since.
Also on the invoice is Grammy-nominated Rockstar rapper Post Malone, who will sing America The Beautiful, and singer Andra Day, who will carry out Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Up subsequent it is the half-time present. Who’s performing?
Usher is the headline act for 2024’s half-time present, following on from Rihanna’s epic efficiency on the State Farm Stadium final yr.
An eight-time Grammy Awards winner, the R&B star will really feel proper at house, having held an Usher: My Way residency in Las Vegas final yr.
“It’s an honour of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list,” he mentioned after it was introduced he can be performing.
“I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before.”
Usher’s efficiency will start at roughly 1.15am on Monday UK time following the conclusion of the primary half.
What in regards to the adverts?
Roughly 200 million folks tuned in to look at the Super Bowl final yr – which makes it promoting’s greatest stage.
Big corporations from Netflix to Google have paid as a lot as $7m (£5.5m) for a 30-second spot.
In order to get as a lot as a return on funding for these tens of millions, most advertisers launch their adverts within the days forward of the massive recreation to get essentially the most publicity for his or her spots.
A variety of promoting corporations merely launch an advert trailer, exhibiting off what celebrities are going to be selling their merchandise.
So… what celebrities are going to be exhibiting off merchandise?
So far, we all know that footballing icon Lionel Messi, who’s develop into a family title within the US after shifting to Inter Miami, will make his Super Bowl debut in an advert for Michelob Ultra beer.
Then there’s Jenna Ortega, star of hit TV present, Wednesday, starring in a Doritos advert – the premise of which is her simply actually fancying a bag of crisps however seeing the shop aisles are empty.
Chris Pratt is taking up a brand new position: because the moustached “Mr P” that you simply see on the tins of Pringles cans. Clearly voicing a moustached protagonist in Super Mario wasn’t sufficient for him.
Addison Rae, who rose to fame on TikTok, will star in an advert for Nerds sweets as a dance teacher educating a choreography routine to Irene Cara’s iconic What A Feeling monitor. What we do not but know is who the thriller pupil in her class goes to be.
SNL forged member, actress and comic Kate McKinnon will star alongside a cat (for some cause) in an advert for Hellmann’s mayonnaise, whereas a disgruntled Helen Mirren sits at house watching soccer and consuming snacks delivered by Uber Eats.
Then there’s going to be Kris Jenner – mom of Kim, Kylie, Kourtney, Kendall, Khloe and Rob – stacking Oreos and saying she’s going to go “warn the kids” about what she’s going to do subsequent… no matter which means.
And lastly, who holds essentially the most Super Bowl titles?
Here are the highest wins from 1967 to 2022 in response to Statista:
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 6
• New England Patriots: 6
• San Francisco 49ers: 5
• Dallas Cowboys: 5
• New York Giants: 4
• Green Bay Packers: 4
And that is all you must know for the massive recreation – benefit from the match!
Source: information.sky.com”