The Super Bowl, an event that transcends American sport and ranks as a truly global spectacle, returns to our screens this weekend.
In the 55th edition of the prestigious competition, the Kansas City Chiefs come up against Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they look to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy in successive years.
With the game now just a few days away, here is the complete guide to everything you need to know.
Tom Brady is competing for his seventh Super Bowl victory, his first with the Buccaneers
Patrick Mahomes looks to claim another Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Chiefs won last year
When is Super Bowl LV?
The game will take place on Sunday, February 7 2021, also known as Super Bowl Sunday.
The action will begin at 11.30pm in the UK – with Florida five hours behind – and will continue until around 3am.
Which teams are playing in Super Bowl 2021?
Reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs are bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since 2004, when the New England Patriots – spearheaded by Tom Brady – defeated the Panthers 32-29.
Ironically, Brady now stands in the way of the Chiefs matching their impressive feat, as he leads his Tampa Bay Buccaneers side into action.
Where is the game being played?
Super Bowl 2021 will be contested in the Buccaneers’ home at the Raymond James Stadium
In a remarkable moment of history, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will become the first-ever NFL side to play a Super Bowl at their home stadium.
It’s not the first time the Raymond James Stadium has hosted the event, having held the Super Bowl contested by the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants in 2001, as well as the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.
The stadium has a capacity of 65,000, though only 25,000 will be permitted due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes: A decisive battle
Brady (L) and Mahomes (R) shared similar stats in the 2020/21 regular season, via SofaScore
The performances of Brady and Mahomes will be fundamental to the outcome of this year’s Super Bowl.
In recent years, it’s Mahomes who has propelled himself to the top of the sport, playing a crucial role as the Chiefs claimed the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2020.
The 25-year-old already has an NFL and a Super Bowl MVP in his trophy cabinet, and with victory on Sunday, he can match Brady’s exclusive feat of leading a side to back-to-back Super Bowl wins within his first three years as an NFL starter.
Though the Chiefs are the favourites heading into the game, it’s impossible to rule out a team led by Brady, a genuine serial winner.
The legendary quarterback, now 43 years old, has six Super Bowl victories to his name. He now looks for a first with the Buccaneers.
How to watch Super Bowl LV in the UK?
To watch this year’s Super Bowl, you have two primary choices of broadcasters in the BBC and Sky Sports.
BBC will begin their television coverage at 11pm on BBC Two, before switching to BBC One at 11.30pm. Viewers can also watch on both iPlayer and online, while radio coverage is available on BBC Sounds and BBC 5 Live.
Sky Sports will begin their coverage at 10pm on channels Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event.
Viewers can also watch on Sky Go, or via NOW TV, with the Sky Sports Day Pass.
Who is performing the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show?
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez took centre stage at the 2020 Super Bowl half-time show
The half-time show has become fundamental to the Super Bowl over the years, with memorable performances from Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Prince and many more.
This year, it will be The Weeknd (no, that’s not spelt wrong) providing the half-time entertainment.
The Canadian artist – whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye – has risen to stardom with chart hits ‘I can’t feel my face’ and ‘Blinding lights’.
Who is singing the national anthem?
Also expressing their vocal talents on Sunday will be Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan, who will be singing the national anthem in an epic duet.
H.E.R will also take to the stage to perform ‘America the Beautiful’.
What happened at Super Bowl 54?
Patrick Mahones led the Kansas City Chiefs to a historic Super Bowl victory last year with a quite sensational comeback.
The Chiefs overturned a 10-point deficit to beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 and claimed a first Super Bowl title in 50 years, having last won in 1970.
In turn, star man Mahones – then aged just 24 – became the youngest-ever Super Bowl MVP winner and just the second youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
Patrick Mahomes celebrated as the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl in 2020