Super Bowl 2025: Viewing Guide, Start Time, and Halftime Show Performers | Entertainment & Arts News

The 59th Super Bowl is right around the corner, with the Kansas City Chiefs aiming to achieve a historic third consecutive championship title.

Under the guidance of their stellar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs will meet the Philadelphia Eagles again, the team they conquered two years prior to claim the title.

This match promises to be a nail-biter, but the Super Bowl is always filled with much more than just thrilling action on the field, featuring spectacular halftime shows and multi-million dollar advertising spots.

Additionally, pop icon Taylor Swift is expected to be once again in attendance, cheering for her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of what could be a momentous Super Bowl.

When is it and how can I watch?

Super Bowl LIX is set to take place at Caesars Superdome, the home ground of the New Orleans Saints, on Sunday, February 9, kicking off at 6:30 PM local time.

For viewers in the UK, the kick-off will be at 11:30 PM.

Coverage begins at 10 PM on Sky Sports NFL (407) and Sky Sports Main Event (401) on Sunday.

If you’re out and about, you can also catch the game through Sky Go, online or via NOW TV, with the Sky Sports Day Pass.

These teams have a history

This marks the Chiefs’ fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years, following back-to-back victories: one last year against the San Francisco 49ers and the other against the Eagles in 2023.

The Chiefs are early favorites to take down the Eagles again in what is being called a “three-peat.”

However, the Eagles, who last won the championship in 2018, are not backing down; they are seeking redemption after their dramatic encounter with the Chiefs two years ago.

In that match, Kansas City entered as slight underdogs and found themselves trailing for most of the game.

They were down 27-21 as the final quarter approached, and things looked grim for the Chiefs after Mahomes seemed to re-aggravate an ankle injury that raised concerns before the game.

Nonetheless, Mahomes displayed remarkable resilience, throwing two touchdowns in the last quarter and aiding Harrison Butker in kicking the game-winning field goal from 27 yards out with just eight seconds remaining, in front of 67,827 fans in the Arizona stadium.

While Mahomes took center stage, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts also put in an impressive performance, scoring three rushing touchdowns and racking up a Super Bowl record 70 yards.

He also threw for a touchdown, contributing to what is regarded as one of the greatest Super Bowls ever.

Hurts has maintained an impressive streak leading up to this Super Bowl, scoring three rushing touchdowns alongside fellow Eagles player Saquon Barkley as they trounced the Washington Commanders 55-23 to secure their spot.

In contrast, the Chiefs faced a challenging route to the final, narrowly defeating Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills 32-29 after a late kick from Harrison Butker clinched the victory with three minutes to spare.

This time, the Chiefs enter as slight favorites, largely due to their recent performance on big occasions, but it’s a tough call with Hurts’ Eagles in stellar form.

Trump set to be the first sitting president at the Super Bowl

Donald Trump, already in the headlines during the initial 100 days of his second presidency, has confirmed he will be the first sitting US president to attend the Super Bowl.

The US Secret Service has been coordinating extensive plans for his attendance, which have been in progress for days.

With the president’s presence, attendees can expect additional security measures, as noted by Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi, who stated details will be shared soon.

Mr. Trump has not yet revealed his allegiance but mentioned to reporters that there is “a specific quarterback that seems to be quite a winner,” seemingly referring to Mahomes.

In a news conference, Mahomes expressed that it is “always an honor to play in front of a sitting president,” while Kelce considered it a “great honor.”

The president is also expected to sit down for an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier as part of the network’s pre-game coverage, which will be recorded in Florida ahead of the game.

Traditionally, the president participates in an interview with the network that broadcasts the football game, although both Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden have had mixed records regarding their participation.

Taylor Swift to make another appearance – but not for the halftime show

Swift has consistently been seen at Chiefs games, always supporting her boyfriend Kelce.

She was spotted rallying behind him and his team during their victory over the Bills in the AFC Championship game, and celebrated on the field with him after their win, sharing a kiss amidst falling confetti.

The 14-time Grammy Award-winner now has back-to-back Super Bowls to attend, having also cheered for Kelce last year.

She drew significant attention previously, making a much-publicized journey from her concert in Tokyo just in time for the Las Vegas kick-off.

She arrived in plenty of time, celebrating after the Chiefs’ 25-22 win over the 49ers, and was spotted participating in a beer-chugging contest, mingling with famous friends like Blake Lively, Ice Spice, and Lana Del Rey.

This season, the Bad Blood singer is not on tour and may choose to enjoy a more subdued experience as she watches other American performers headline the halftime show.

Who is singing the national anthem?

The Super Bowl kickoff is traditionally marked by a heartfelt rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, and this time it will be delivered by acclaimed soul singer/songwriter Jon Batiste.

The New Orleans native expressed to Entertainment Tonight at the end of January, “I’m eager to create an arrangement that will stand the test of time.”

Joining him will be Christian artist Lauren Daigle and jazz sensation Trombone Shorty, who will perform America the Beautiful, while R&B singer Ledisi will present Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Who is set to perform during halftime?

Kendrick Lamar was confirmed as the halftime show headliner back in September of last year, soon after his well-publicized rap feud with Drake.

Two diss tracks directed at the Canadian rapper topped the charts last year, with his latest album GNX receiving critical acclaim upon release in November.

After being announced for the Super Bowl, the 17-time Grammy-winning artist stated, “Rap music remains the most influential genre to date, and I will be there to remind everyone why. They picked the right one.”

He has the resume to back up his words, having previously performed at the 2022 halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Anderson .Paak, and Eminem at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The halftime shows usually feature surprise guests, and the talented SZA has been confirmed as one of the performers.

A trailer released on January 23, featuring Lamar and Apple Music, shows him walking on a football field when SZA playfully approaches and splashes him with water.

The two have collaborated on hits like the Oscar-nominated All The Stars and Doves In The Wind, and have also performed together on two tracks from Lamar’s latest album.

What about the commercials?

The Super Bowl is not only the premier stage for football; it’s also a battleground for advertisers eager to capture the attention of millions. Viewers are primed to enjoy the ads just as much as the game itself.

“This is a societal event where we unite as a nation,” remarks Kimberly Whitler, marketing professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. “Though our opinions may differ, we come together.”

For this year’s game, a 30-second commercial spot can cost up to $8 million (£6.4 million), a jump from around $7 million last year.

Reports indicate that ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI will debut its first-ever TV advertisement during this Super Bowl, competing with major players like Google.

To maximize their return on investment, many advertisers reveal their commercials in the lead-up to the big game to create buzz.

Many companies opt to premiere a teaser, showcasing which celebrities will endorse their products.

Celebrities we know will feature in ads

Here’s a summary of stars you can expect to see during the ad breaks:

Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey will explain a conspiracy theory around the invention of football to promote Uber Eats, with British singer Charli XCX and TV personality Martha Stewart joining him in a teaser where they share misconceptions in a TikTok trend format.

“I thought a Super Bowl was something I could order from Uber Eats,” quips Charli XCX to Stewart as they share a sofa with a takeaway bag.

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are reuniting to reprise their characters from When Harry Met Sally at the iconic Katz’s Deli, sharing a meal with Hellmann’s mayonnaise, and this time Sydney Sweeney joins to deliver the famous line: “I’ll have what she’s having.”

Actress-turned-TV host Drew Barrymore and actor Orlando Bloom star in the inaugural Super Bowl advertisement for MSC Cruises, with Barrymore performing a version of Madonna’s Holiday onboard the ship in their teaser.

Meta will highlight its Smart Glasses featuring Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt, posting brief videos on Instagram of themselves wearing the Ray-Ban frames. In one, Hemsworth inadvertently consumes a banana from an artwork valued at $6.2 million, while Kris Jenner appears to reprimand them.

This year, there’s a lineup of major beer advertisements, with England soccer star David Beckham meeting his long-lost twin (played by Matt Damon) in a teaser for Stella Artois, while Post Malone returns for a third Bud Light ad, this time alongside comedian Shane Gillis.

Food brands will feature stars like singer Doja Cat, who supports Taco Bell by appearing in their commercial. Actors Adam Brody and Nick Offerman team up with NBA star James Harden in a Pringles ad.

Nestle Coffee Mate will feature a commercial with singer Shania Twain, while actor Eugene Levy has a humorous jolt of surprise in a Little Caesars pizza ad, and Haagen-Dazs teams up Fast & Furious stars Michelle Rodriguez, Vin Diesel, and Ludacris to take time out for ice cream instead of racing.

Some advertisements will convey more serious messages, with rapper Snoop Dogg and Super Bowl record-setting quarterback Tom Brady discussing the reasons behind hate in a campaign to tackle hate speech for the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.

And finally, who has the most Super Bowl titles?

The leading winners from 1967 to 2022 are:

• Pittsburgh Steelers: 6
• New England Patriots: 6
• San Francisco 49ers: 5
• Dallas Cowboys: 5
• New York Giants: 4
• Green Bay Packers: 4

That’s all you need to know for the big game – enjoy the match!