Super Bowl 2024: Everything you need to know from how much the players will make for winning to the price of an ad… And even if Taylor Swift will be in attendance
After 21 weeks and a total of 271 games, the Super Bowl is finally upon us, with only two teams left standing.
On Sunday, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs will take on Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
And like millions of people around the world, you’re probably where to watch it and how?
But for others, the Super Bowl is the perfect mix of sporting activities, with fans participating simply for the famous advertisements, movie trailers and even a potential Taylor Swift sighting.
While some may not even know who will be performing this year’s halftime show, following Rihanna’s performance will be a difficult task.
Brock Purdy masterfully quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers offense on its way to the Super Bowl
Patrick Mahomes was, as always, a top performer in the league, helping the Cheifs to their fourth Super Bowl appearance in the last five years
But fear not, Mail Sport has all the information about this Sunday’s spectacle.
Who will play in Super Bowl LVIII?
As previously mentioned, this year’s Super Bowl will be contested by the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of LIV, in which the former won 31-20.
The Chiefs represent the closest thing to a dynasty in recent years. Led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, they have won four of the last five Super Bowls, winning two.
While many will rightly focus on Mahomes and Kelce, Cheifs have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this season in L’Jarius Sneed, and he could be an X-Factor against the 49ers’ offense.
Brock Purdy stars star-studded quarterbacks on offense with George Kittle, Brandon Ayiuk, Deebo Samuel and MVP candidate, running back Christian McCaffrey.
But they are simply stacked on the defensive side of the ball, forming the most fearsome linebacking duo with Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw and their front-seven is complemented by the likes of Chase Young, Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead.
Where will it be played?
Allegiant Stadium will host the Super Bowl in the state-of-the-art stadium that opened in 2020
The stadium features a retractable grass field that can be wheeled outside to promote the growth and health of the playing surface
This year’s showcase will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home of the Raiders. The stadium, which opened in 2020, has a capacity of 65,000 for NFL games.
There was a lot of talk last year about the field conditions as players struggled to hold their positions, but that shouldn’t be as much of an issue this year. The natural grass pitch is rolled in and out of the stadium to maximize the sunlight it receives when not in use.
However, there is also an artificial turf field available that is used by the University of Nevada’s Las Vegas Rebels NCAA football team.
What time do the Chiefs and 49ers start?
The opening kickoff is expected to take place at 3:30 PM PST/6:30 PM EST, which means it’s 11:30 PM for fans in Britain and 10:30 AM for those hoping to watch in Australia.
Before the competition starts, there will of course be the usual spectacle, including the performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing by Andra Day. The announcement received many reactions on social media.
The Star Spangled Banner, America’s national anthem, will also be performed by Reba McEntire before kickoff this year.
How can I watch the Super Bowl?
It seems incredibly difficult for fans to get the authentic stadium experience. Tickets have long been sold out and the cheapest ticket available at resale costs approximately $5,500 dollars.
But for those keen to settle down and watch on TV in Britain, the game will be broadcast on free-to-air ITV1 or for paying customers on Sky Sports NFL. You can also watch via the NFL’s Gamepass streaming service via DAZN.
Those in America will see the game broadcast by CBS, meaning insights will be provided by former NFL quarterback Tony Romo. Nickelodeon is also showing off the game, which will provide viewers with plenty of colorful overlays, including slimings.
Meanwhile, those in Australia can watch via Seven Network.
What’s the Latest on Taylor Swift’s Status?
There may be a lot of focus on the action on the field, but many will certainly tune in hoping for a sighting of Taylor Swift cheering on her boyfriend Travis Kelce.
It would have been hard to have missed the budding relationship between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop superstar Taylor Swift.
While many Taylor Swift fans will tune into the Super Bowl in hopes of seeing the music phenomenon, it remains to be seen if she can actually make the game.
Swift will be on her global tour on Saturday evening, this time in Tokyo and while it may take longer for the average person, a direct flight takes about 10 hours and 30 minutes.
Who is the halftime show?
R&B icon Usher will headline the halftime show this year, and he’s not getting paid for the privilege
Another draw that unites the more casual viewer with the hardcore football fan is the halftime show.
Throughout the event’s history there have been some truly iconic performances from some of music’s biggest icons, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Dr. Dre and who can forget Rihanna’s surprise pregnancy reveal at last year’s game.
This year, R&B superstar Usher hopes to add his name to the iconic list. The world-famous performer may not get paid for his performance, but the showman can certainly leave a lasting impression.
How much does an advertisement cost?
Many will be aware of the Super Bowl ad phenomenon, with many brands choosing the NFL’s showpiece to showcase their biggest and best.
Loaded with superstars and entertainment, a 30-second TV spot is expected to cost approximately $7 million.
And while the spend is hefty, a whopping 115 million people watched across all US platforms last year, so it’s easy that the cost is worth it.
How much money does a winning player receive?
Each player on the winning team will receive a bonus of $164,000, of which the players on the losing team will earn about half of that.
A significant amount for a long season on the way to ultimate success for both groups of players.