The Super Bowl takes place in New Orleans on Sunday, one of the biggest global sports events of the year and one guaranteed to have a few bleary eyes across Ireland on Monday morning.
Who’s playing?
This year’s contest brings together two of the biggest franchises among the League’s 32 teams, the Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes and supported by Taylor Swift bidding for an unprecedented three-in-a-row of titles, and the Philadelphia Eagles, coached for 13 years by Kansas Head Coach Andy Reid but the winners of only one previous Super Bowl, in 2017.
What time does the game start?
The kick off will be at 23:30 Irish Time.
How can I watch?
The game will be covered live on Virgin Media and UTV in Ireland with Jason Bell and Craig Doyle leading the coverage. Fans of the sport might stick with Neil Reynolds and Phoebe Schechter on Sky Sports who they have probably been with through the year. For a taste of how America watches with all the famous Super Bowl adverts and the bonus of full coverage from Fox Sports including Tom Brady in the co-commentary chair, the NFL Game Pass on DAZN is a good choice as well.
What about the Halftime Show?
Kendrick Lamar will be the star attraction this year in the Apple sponsored halftime show that is seen in the industry as the single biggest promotional appearance there is.
How many will be watching?
The last two years have set all time viewership records. In 2023 115.1 million watched the game live in the United States alone. 12 months ago, that number climbed by 7 percent to 123.7 million live viewers, again solley in the US.
How much would a ticket cost if I wanted to go?
If you wanted to stay the night, the average cost of a hotel room this week has been $650, if you could get one, and the average ticket price on secondary sites has been $7,388, which is down on last year’s high of $8,168 because of less hotel space than Vegas.
How much will the players earn?
The two quarterbacks are the highest earners on their teams. Jalen Hurts contract is worth $51 million a year and Patrick Mahomes $45 million.
The potential star of the show Philadelphia Eagles Saquon Barkley’s deal is worth $13.25 million a year. Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Tight End who doubles up as Taylor Swift’s partner earns $17.13 million.
How much will be gambled on the game?
This is perhaps the most staggering number of all. Legal gambling only became a reality in 2018 and three years later the amount gambled on this one night had already reach $4.28 Billion.
Last year than number was, wait for it, estimated at $23.1 Billion. For some sort of perspective that is $70 for every man, woman and child in the US.
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
When you are a fan, the sport takes over Sunday nights from September to February. This is the pinnacle and you might be surprised just how many of your friends will be watching. The Sport for Business bulletin will of course be published on Monday but might be a little later than normal…
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Watch out for what we anticipate to be a major announcement from the NFL in relation to the latest new city to host a regular season game later this afternoon…
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
Sport for Business hosted a very popular Business Breakfast with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL at Croke Park last year and we had friends and guests with us at the US Ambassador’s Residence in the Phoenix Park last night. There may be more related events coming up in 2025.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
