What to look at for at Tremendous Bowl 59

Acrobatic catches and thumping hits are why American soccer followers watch the Tremendous Bowl however for others the non-sporting spectacle is way more fascinating.

We have chosen a number of issues to look out for through the contest between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, which kicks off at 23:30 GMT (18:30 EST) on Sunday, 9 February on the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Kendrick Lamar would be the star flip through the half-time present and the unlikely ties binding David Beckham and Matt Damon will probably be revealed – oh, and Taylor Swift is likely to be exhibiting off a brand new ring too.

The Compton rapper will probably be headlining the musical interlude for a second time when he takes the stage on Sunday, throughout which he will probably be supported by SZA.

Lamar is contemporary off a profitable yr on the Grammy Awards the place he scooped 5 prizes, together with track of the yr for Not Like Us – a diss observe directed at hip-hop rival Drake.

It could appear a certainty for the set record however Lamar may select to not play it after Drake filed a lawsuit claiming defamation and harassment final month.

Will he again down or will the feud attain what is likely to be the biggest tv viewers in US historical past? Final yr’s Tremendous Bowl set the document with greater than 123 million People tuning in.

Travis Kelce will probably be hoping to win his fourth Tremendous Bowl ring and he could retire if he does – sure within the information he’ll go down as one of many nice gridiron gamers.

For a lot of viewers he’s higher generally known as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend. Their relationship grew to become public in 2023 and she or he joined him on the sphere to have fun his crew’s Tremendous Bowl win final yr.

Swifties will probably be maintaining a tally of what occurs after the ultimate whistle, following on-line rumours a couple of proposal. Requested by journalists if such a plan was within the offing, Kelce replied rhetorically with a smile: “Would not you prefer to know?”

Adverts broadcast through the Tremendous Bowl are a number of the costliest cash can purchase.

This yr at the very least 10 adverts have been offered for greater than £6.4m ($8m) every, reported leisure enterprise journal Selection – a brand new document.

So corporations who purchased a premium spot wish to guarantee they make them memorable.

This yr beer model Stella Artois have recruited David Beckham to star in theirs as himself, wherein he learns he has a protracted misplaced twin brother (performed by Matt Damon) within the US known as, er, Dave Beckham.

One other due for broadcast comes from Hellman’s mayonnaise that recreates the orgasm scene within the deli from When Harry Met Sally and options Sydney Sweeney.

Haagen-Dazs have Quick & Livid actors selling their ice cream, Barry Keoghan is showing for web site builder Squarespace, and Gordon Ramsay is promoting cookware producer HexClad.

Now in his second stint on the White Home, Trump would be the first sitting US president to attend a Tremendous Bowl.

He’s no stranger to the NFL and attended a sport final October in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania whereas campaigning within the presidential election.

Up to now he has additionally been crucial of league commissioner Roger Goodell – most not too long ago as a result of he did not like a rule change for kick-offs.

He additionally disapproved of Goodell’s dealing with of NFL gamers who selected to kneel through the nationwide anthem, which was final performed broadly in 2020 following the homicide of George Floyd.

Gamers defined the protest was meant to attract consideration to racial injustice within the US however Trump stated they need to be fired or suspended for disrespecting the nation.

Fox, who’re broadcasting the Tremendous Bowl within the US, can even air an interview with the president on his first 100 days in workplace throughout their pre-game present.

The NFL has stated it won’t use the slogan “Finish Racism” within the Tremendous Bowl – it has used the phrase for the final 4 editions.

The league stated the change was not in response to the political local weather underneath the brand new Trump administration, which has ended using DEI schemes within the federal authorities, however current tragedies within the US.

“Select Love” and “It Takes All of Us” had been deemed extra acceptable following the terrorist assault in New Orleans on New Yr’s Eve and the wildfires in California final month. These slogans had been launched by the NFL in 2020 and have appeared in varied league video games since then.

Goodell stated he was happy with the league’s variety efforts and would proceed them. “We have not solely satisfied ourselves, we have confirmed it to ourselves,” he stated. “It does make the NFL higher.”

Jon Batiste, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, will carry out The Star Spangled Banner this yr.

Viewers will preserve an ear out for any fluffed lyrics, as skilled by Christina Aguilera, whereas bettors will regulate how lengthy Batiste’s rendition takes.

Different songs can even be carried out previous to kick-off together with America the Stunning, by Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle, in addition to Carry Each Voice and Sing by Ledisi.