Just as the word "Christmas" conjures up certain images of brightly decorated trees and Santa, the phrase "Super Bowl" will set any American's mind racing thinking about wings, nachos, hot dogs and.... eggs.
Wait! What? Eggs!? Yup. If you live in Singapore, your Super Bowl meal is likely breakfast. Maybe you're lucky enough to score a spot at The American Club for their giant Super Bowl bash where they serve all the usual suspects and eggs. Otherwise, you are probably eating only breakfast while you watch the big game. Truth? I never thought I'd get used to it, but after 12 years here, it's kind of the norm. What better way to start a week than eating with friends and yelling at a big screen TV?
Don't have a seat at The American Club? No worries. Other spots like AAS' official sports bar, SOS, and Hard Rock Café are showing the game and they have great grub, too.
What's the big deal?
The Super Bowl is an annual event, an iconic celebration ingrained in American culture. It is more than just a football game; it's a spectacle that unites millions of people across the country, blending athleticism, entertainment, and a sense of national pride. Heck, it's practically a holiday for Americans. One of the most watched annual sporting events in the world, the NFL's championship game is broadcast in over 130 countries in more than 30 languages. While events like the World Cup are ranked higher in world viewership, the upper Bowl is the most-watched television broadcast in the US every year. In 2023, an estimated 113 million people tuned in. Geez, right?
The Game:
At its core, the Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), pitting the winners of the league's two conferences, the AFC and NFC, against each other. The culmination of a grueling season, the Super Bowl brings together the best football teams in a high-stakes showdown for the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy. The game itself is a display of skill, strategy, and athleticism, captivating both hardcore football fans and casual viewers alike.
This year, the game will be between the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers. A little trivia for you: why are they called the 49ers? Tick tock. Tick tock. Time is up. The “49ers” is the nickname for those who flocked to northern California in 1849 hoping to take advantage of the gold rush.
Halftime Extravaganza:
One of the biggest parts of the Super Bowl has nothing to do with the game of football. The halftime show is always a star-studded performance that often rivals the game in terms of entertainment value. Huge artists take the stage, creating memorable moments that transcend the sports world. From iconic performances by Prince and Beyoncé to the memorable "wardrobe malfunction" incident with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, the halftime show has become a cultural phenomenon, drawing viewers who may not be avid football fans. This year, superstar and Grammy winner Usher will be taking center stage, reportedly a bucket list dream for him. (Um... just saying that that's kind of a bucket list dream for anybody who performs. I mean, it's the freaking Super Bowl.) And it's not like it's his first time at the Super Bowl. He performed with the Black Eyed Peas in 2011. This year's 13-minute performance will no doubt be fab... and he'll be promoting diabetes screening, too (his son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 6).
Oh and there will possibly be another super star at the event that more people may be watching than Usher. Of course, I'm talking about Taylor Swift who will be likely be there to watch her boyfriend Travis Kielce, a four-time All-Pro tight end and already a two-time Super Bowl champion. It might be a bit tricky as she's in the middle of her Eras Tour. With a nighttime show to close four days in Japan, Swift will have to hustle to get across the Pacific Ocean and back to the states in time for kickoff. Luckily, the timezones work in her favor as the game will be played in Las Vegas. She'll just be on "egg-time" like all of those in Singapore.
Commercials:
Super Bowl commercials have become a massive part of the Super Bowl, with companies vying for the most creative and memorable advertisements. A 30-second ad runs about
USD $7 million so the stakes are huge, meaning the commercials are generally great. Some of the most iconic and talked-about commercials ever were first shown during the Super Bowl. Check out this ranking of the top ones ever broadcast. (Okay, I'll admit it. I just stopped and watched every one of these as I was writing it. They are simply great ads) Truth is, I miss ads like these living here in Singapore. Yes, sadly, you don't always see the Super Bowl ads here ini Singapore during the broadcast, but you can always find them on the internet.
The Super Bowl is more than just a football game; it's an annual extravaganza that captivates millions of people and brings communities together. Whether you're a die-hard football fan, a music enthusiast looking forward to the halftime show, or someone just there for the snacks and commercials, the Super Bowl has something for everyone. It's a celebration of sports, entertainment, and American tradition, showcasing the power of a shared experience in a diverse and dynamic society. Happy watching on February 12!