The Super Bowl will take this weekend, with millions set to tune in to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Here’s everything you need to know about Super Bowl 55
Who is playing?
In a match that many are heralding as one of the most exciting in years, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the defending champions Kansas City Chiefs
Where is it being held?
Superbowl LV will take place on February 7 at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Who are the key players?
Look out for Tom Brady - a household name in the US, who is aiming to win the Vince Lombardi trophy for a record 7th time.
He will go up against Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback who led the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in last year's Super Bowl.
Is the match on TV?
Yes, the match is being shown on BBC One. The game will start at 11.30pm (UK time) on Sunday, with coverage starting on BBC Two before switching to BBC One.
Who is Sarah Thomas?
Sarah Thomas will become the first woman to officiate in a Super Bowl after being named in the seven-strong crew for the game on February 7.
The NFL’s executive vice-president of football operations Troy Vincent said: “Sarah Thomas has made history again as the first female Super Bowl official.
How has Covid impacted the Superbowl?
Unlike sporting events in the UK, American football has not been played behind closed doors. However, sports have had a limited number of spectators. the attendance at the 65,000 capacity stadium will be limited to 22,000 including 7,500 vaccinated healthcare workers.
Both team hotels have remained empty this week – the Chiefs are not flying in until Saturday while the Bucs, the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl on home turf, are sleeping in their own beds.
Ahead of a day generally considered a quasi-national holiday, when millions might otherwise gather to gorge on chicken wings and sink gallons of beer, White House health advisor Dr Anthony Fauci pleaded with Americans to “lay low and cool it” this Sunday.
Who is performing at halftime?
One of the major traditions of the Superbowl is the halftime show, which this year will see The Weekend performing.
The R&B superstar said he wanted to be “respectful” to viewers at home and had created a concert that was “PG for the families” while still featuring his usual dramatic visual concepts.
The Canadian artist, real name Abel Tesfaye, speaking during a press conference ahead of the show this weekend said “The story will continue but definitely we will keep it PG for the families. Definitely. I will try my best.”
The Weeknd follows in the recent footsteps of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Coldplay and Katy Perry in filling the coveted slot.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company is executive producing the half-time show for a second year.
Who will perform the National Anthem?
The NFL announced that Grammy-nominated artists Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan will sing the national anthem together at Super Bowl LV.
Some fun Super Bowl facts
- The Buccaneers will be the first side to play a Super Bowl on their home field when they run out at Raymond James Stadium.
- The scheduled kick-off time for UK fans wishing to tune in is 11:30pm on Sunday, February 7, meaning it will be a late night for NFL enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantic.
- Over 100million viewers tuned in for Super Bowl LIV’s half-time show featuring Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. Canadian singer The Weeknd will take to the stage in Florida as the players catch their breath.
- The adverts often make for great viewing at a Super Bowl, and the price for a spot can really stack up. A 30-second TV ad slot this year will reportedly set back advertisers US dollars 5.5million.
- The National Chicken Council predict Americans will tuck in to a whopping 1.42billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday.
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