As the Super Bowl approaches, you might wonder, “Why would I be interested in this spectacle?” It’s like the Melbourne Cup in Australia (or one of the footy grand finals), and someone in your life will inevitably be talking about it, or you might even be invited to a Super Bowl Party. We’ve put together a quick guide to help you understand and enjoy the Big Game.
1. Master the Basics of Football
The game, commonly referred to as gridiron, has some similarities to games that we know from back home, like having an oval shaped ball and the objective to get as many points as possible. You can run with the ball, unlike netball, and you can throw the ball forward, unlike rugby. The game consists of four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. Don’t think this game will be over in a couple of hours, as the clock stops after every play while they reset before commencing again. The kickoff is at 6:30pm EST and it will likely be about 10:30 or 11pm before there is a winner. The team with the most points at the end wins with points being scored through touchdowns (6 points), field goals (3 points), and extra points or 2 point conversions.
While there is only one team, there are two key sections of the team who come out depending on if they have the ball or not. When the team has the ball they bring out the members of their “offense” and when the other team has the ball they bring out their “defense” section. Each team currently have 53 team members on their roster, although only 11 team members can be on the field at any point in time. The New York Times published a great guide last year to understanding the game.
2. Keep Your Eye Out for the Commercials
Super Bowl commercials have achieved legendary status (you probably have seen the Budweiser Clydesdales), and companies go all out to create memorable ads for this event. The breaks between the game showcase some of the most creative, humorous, and heartwarming advertisements of the year, so it might be a good idea to hold off on your bathroom breaks until play resumes.
3. Score Big with Super Bowl Squares
If you’re not really into the football itself, one way to make it fun is to get involved with a Super Bowl Squares game. Create a grid with numbered squares and let guests pick their squares. Prizes can be awarded for the final score of each quarter. Bonus points for making this into a classic Aussie drinking game. Here is a video explaining how you can make up a grid for the game.
4. Super Bowl Bingo and Drinking Games
Keep the energy high with Super Bowl-themed bingo cards or drinking games. Create bingo cards featuring common occurrences during the game or set up rules for a drinking game with friends. It adds an interactive element to the viewing experience and ensures plenty of laughs throughout the night.
5. Work Up Some Team Spirit
This year the two finalists are the the Philadelphia Eagles who wear green and white colors and the Kansas City Chiefs who wear red and white. Get your mates over for the night, deck your place with appropriate colors and start cheering. The quarterbacks are the players who call the shots when the offensive side is on the field. The quarterback for the Chiefs is Patrick Mahomes and the quarterback for the Eagles is Jalen Hurts. There are lots of famous players on both sides but the one that we are watching is the Chiefs’ tight end, Travis Kelce. We’re sure you’ll see Travis’ girlfriend, Taylor Swift in one of the boxes. The Chiefs are going for a hat trick of three consecutive wins this year, they will make history if they get the win.
6. The Halftime Show Extravaganza
While football is the main attraction, the halftime show has become a spectacle in itself. A-list musicians take center stage, delivering unforgettable (and sometimes controversial) performances. Last year Rhianna blew everyone away with her performance and announced her second pregnancy while performing, just by taking her coat off. This year Kendrick Lamar and SZA will be performing.
7. Super Bowl Snacks
If you’re going to be sitting watching a game for four hours you will need some sustenance to keep your eye on the ball. Classic game-day snacks are buffalo wings, nachos, and a variety of dips. Put out a bowl of chilli con carne, a homemade pizza, or a delivery of your favorite Asian food will work. The important thing is for you and your guests to enjoy it while cheering on your team.
Super Bowl LIX will be played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 9, 2025. We hope you enjoy the game!