ONE of the biggest events in sport takes place on Sunday night as American Football’s showpiece match takes place.
All eyes will be on the Super Bowl – so here’s all you need to know.
Who’s playing?
American Football Conference winners Philadelphia Eagles take on the National Football Conference champs New England Patriots at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Both teams go into the match with 13 wins and 3 defeats this season.
The Eagles faced the Patriots the last time they made it to the Super Bowl, back in 2004. The Pats triumphed 24-21. The Eagles also lost in their only other previous Super Bowl final.
The Pats come into the match as defending champions after their sensational overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons last year. It’s their fourth Super Bowl appearance in the past decade, and they’re the first team to reach 10 appearances in total (5 wins, 4 defeats).
They’re strong favourites, with quarter-back Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick considered one of the greatest partnerships of all time.
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What time does it start?
Kick-off is at 11:30pm GMT.
If you don’t care about the match itself and just want to see the halftime show, stick the telly on at around 12:45 – 01:00 am.
How do I watch it?
If you are a Sky Sports subscriber, the game and build-up will be live on Sky Sports Main Event.
Alternatively, you can tune into the BBC’s ad-free coverage, fronted by Mark Chapman, which starts at 11:20pm and is available online on the iPlayer.
Both broadcasts will include the halftime show.
Who will be performing the national anthem?
Pink will be singing the national anthem before the match.
Incredibly, you can bet on how long she’ll take to sing it, what colour her hair will be and whether or not she’ll forget any of the words.
It’ll be quite the moment for her as she is a huge Eagles fan (the team, not the band).
Ummm. I’m singing the national anthem and the EAGLES ARE PLAYING?!?!?! IS THIS FOR REAL?!?!?!THATS WHASSUP!!!!!!!! Shtjtkd widnamc ckamcnsnzncbx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wooohooooooooooooioooooooooooooooooooooooooiiiiiiooooooooooo
— P!nk (@Pink) January 22, 2018
Who will be entertaining the crowd in the halftime show?
This year’s halftime entertainment will be provided by Justin Timberlake.
Minnesota.@SuperBowl LII.
February 4, 2018.@jtimberlake! #PepsiHalftime #SBLII pic.twitter.com/XreajJiHJu— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2017
It’s the third time the megastar has appeared on stage during the halftime show, having performed in 2001 as part of boyband NSYNC in a very noughties spectacular also involving Britney Spears and Aerosmith.
Ten years ago, he was involved in one of the most controversial moments in Super Bowl history when performing alongside Janet Jackson.
At the end of a rendition of Rock Your Body, he was meant to remove Jackson’s corset, but ended up exposing her breast in front of millions.
Both stars had to issue apologies for the infamous wardrobe malfunction, and that year’s broadcaster CBS had to pay a $500,000 fine for indecency.
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Fast Facts
- Face value for tickets started at $950 up to $5,000
- 40-year-old Tom Brady is looking for his sixth Super Bowl win
- The Vince Lombardi Trophy is made of sterling silver and was created by Tiffany & Co
- The NFL pays for up to 150 Super Bowl rings for the winners at a cost of around $1500 each
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