Every year, on the first Sunday in February, the Super Bowl takes place across the United States. This American football championship is a festive and popular event, drawing together millions of citizens and spectators! Its famous Halftime Show, watched just as much as the match itself, welcomes the world's greatest international artists. On the occasion of Super Bowl LVII, we're telling you the story of this sporting encounter, which began in the 1960s, at the initiative of the National Football League…

The history of the Super Bowl in the USA

The origins of the Super Bowl: key dates

The Super Bowl refers to the championship game of the National Football League (NFL). The National American Football League comprises two divisions of 16 teams each: the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). The NFL therefore has a total of 32 teams. Each year, following five months of competition, the final match pits the champions of each conference against one another.

Founded in the early 1920s, the NFL merged with the American Football League (AFL) in the mid-1960s. During this union, the two championships decided that their respective champions would face off in the final. The first took place in 1967, under the name NFL-AFL World Championship Game. Named Super Bowl by aficionados and the media, the championship was officially renamed as such in 1970.

The main NFL teams: a brief history

Each of the NFL's 32 teams has its own history and is more or less popular depending on their state and performance record. Among them? The Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens, which are known for their impressive track records. The Pittsburgh Steelers and The New England Patriots are renowned for their six Super Bowl victories respectively!

The Super Bowl final: a popular and festive event

Considered the most important sporting event in the United States, the Super Bowl is deeply embedded in American culture. Every year, Americans gather with loved ones to watch the match together. It's a highly patriotic day when supporters, players and citizens unite. During the final, The Star-Spangled Banner (the American national anthem) is an eagerly anticipated moment that forms an integral part of the spectacle!

When and where is the Super Bowl played?

The Super Bowl final takes place each first Sunday in February. The host city is selected by the NFL several years in advance. Much like the Olympic Games, cities submit bids. A vote is then held by the leaders of the NFL's 32 teams.

Where is the 2023 Super Bowl held and which teams will face off?

Super Bowl 2023 will take place on February 12 at State Farm Stadium (a covered stadium located in Glendale, Arizona). With a capacity of 63,400 seats, the stadium can accommodate more than 72,000 for a championship.

During Super Bowl LVII, the Philadelphia Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs. This final has already been nicknamed The Andy Reid Bowl. Why? The Chiefs coach was also the coach of the Eagles from 1999 to 2012. This match will also be a major moment for players Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce: the first brothers to face each other in a championship final!

The greatest NFL player: a closer look at Tom Brady

Born in 1977, quarterback Tom Brady is renowned for his exceptional track record. He notably played with the New England Patriots for 20 seasons, with whom he won 7 Super Bowl championships. Considered one of the greatest players, he has also won numerous awards, including 5 times the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Player), which can be compared to the Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best football player of the year. Tom Brady announced his retirement on February 1, 2023.

Who are the Super Bowl performers – and the halftime artists for 2023?

The Super Bowl halftime show is known worldwide for its extravagant and over-the-top ceremony, featuring the world's greatest American and international singers 

• Michael Jackson (1992), 

• Aerosmith (2000), 

• The Rolling Stones (2005), 

• Prince (2007), 

• Madonna (2011), 

• Coldplay (2015), 

• Snoop Dogg and Eminem (2021)... 

One of the historic moments remains Whitney Houston's performance in 1991, when she performed The Star-Spangled Banner.

In 2023? The NFL chose singer Rihanna to headline the Halftime Show. The lineup also includes Chris Stapleton (who will perform the national anthem), singers Babyface and Sheryl Lee Ralph, as well as French composer DJ Snake, who will mix before kickoff!

An interesting fact? The halftime show is also highly appreciated for its commercials, which Americans love. Many of them leave during the match to ensure they don't miss the advertisement breaks and their exclusive spots!

The Super Bowl in numbers…

• Game duration: a match runs for 4 quarters of 15 minutes each, but with the numerous interruptions (substitutions, penalties, etc.) expect around 3 to 4 hours before you find out which team wins!

• TV audiences: the Super Bowl is watched each year by nearly 115 million Americans and is broadcast in more than 200 countries.

• Ticket price: in recent years, prices have been astronomical (an average of $5,000 and $60,000 for VIP seats). Only 10% of the American population can afford to attend the match. In 1967, tickets cost between $6 and $12...

• Economic benefit for the host city: approximately $600 million in revenue for the host city.

• Amount of food consumed in the USA during the championship: more than 1 billion wings (chicken wings) and 14,000 tons of chips, nearly 2 million kilograms of popcorn and 51.7 million packs of beer!