Twelve months on since Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs triumphed in Super Bowl LIV in Miami, the biggest game on the NFL calendar returns to Florida as Tampa plays host to Super Bowl LV.
The NFL has negotiated the unprecedented challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and played out the regular season as scheduled, but the constantly evolving nature of the outbreak means a lot can change between now and February 7.
Even if it goes ahead as planned, it seems to assume Super Bowl LV will be unlike any of its predecessor. The sight of coaches and assistants wearing masks on the sideline, which has become commonplace this season, will continue in Tampa, while social distancing measures mean the extravaganza surrounding the Super Bowl could be significantly scaled down.
In all likelihood, instead of 75,000 fans packed inside Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will in all likelihood operate at a reduced capacity as it and several other NFL stadiums have done this season.
While the pandemic may make for unusual surroundings, the focus will as ever be on what happens on the field.
Here's all you need to know ahead of Super Bowl LV.
When is Super Bowl LV?
Super Bowl LV is scheduled for Sunday, February 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, although that is still unofficial and subject to change.
February 7 is the latest the Super Bowl has ever been played and this year marks only the third time the NFL title has been scheduled on the date, joining Super Bowl XLIV and Super Bowl 50.
Super Bowl LV venue
The 55th edition of the Super Bowl will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. It marks the first time the city has hosted the NFL title game since 2009 and the fifth overall.
Along with Super Bowl XLIII, Tampa previously hosted Super Bowls XVIII, XXV and XXXV.
Super Bowls XVIII and XXV were played at Tampa Stadium, while Raymond James Stadium previously hosted Super Bowls XXXV and XLIII.
In three of the Super Bowls hosted in Tampa so far, the teams representing the AFC has gone on to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
In 1984, the Los Angeles Raiders defeated Washington 38-9, while the Baltimore Ravens beat the New York Giants 34-7 in 2001 and the Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Arizona Cardinals in 2009.
The only NFC win came in 1991, when the Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19.
Super Bowl LV TV channel
Originally slated to be broadcast by NBC as part of annual rotation the broadcaster agreed with CBS and FOX in 2006, Super Bowl LV will instead be broadcast by CBS with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo in the commentary booth.
NBC opted to switch places with CBS, in order to broadcast Super Bowl LVI next year and package it with the 2022 Winter Olympics, one of its flagship events.
It means CBS will be broadcast the Super Bowl for the 21st time, more than any other network—NBC carried the game 19 times, while FOX and ABC have broadcast the Super Bowl nine and seven times respectively.
A live stream will be available via CBS All Access and the channel's digital platforms.
Super Bowl LV halftime show
The Weeknd was confirmed as Super Bowl LV's halftime performer back in November. The Canadian singer won a Grammy Award for the Best Urban Contemporary Album and the Best R&B Performance in 2016, which he followed with another Grammy Award for the Best Urban Contemporary Album two years later.
The Weeknd has a tough act to follow, as Jennifer Lopez and Shakira headlined the halftime show last year at Super Bowl LIV.
At the time of writing, however, the NFL is yet to confirm who will sing the national anthem in Tampa.
About the writer
Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he was a news and business reporter at International Business Times UK. Dan has also written for The Guardian and The Observer.
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