Super Bowl LV is hours away. The battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy will be between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship. The Buccaneers will be playing in only their second-ever Super Bowl and first since the 2002 season when Jon Gruden was leading the team. Tampa Bay will become the first team to play in the game at their home stadium.
Patrick Mahomes and company defeated the Buffalo Bills for the AFC Championship. The Chiefs are looking to become the first team since the New England Patriots to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
It will be a hyped matchup of epic proportions.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the big game.
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WHEN IS THE SUPER BOWL?
Super Bowl LV takes place on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Kickoff will likely happen at 6:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on CBS this year.
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WHERE IS IT?
The final two teams compete for the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy in Tampa, Fla., at Raymond James Stadium – the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It will be the fifth time the game is held in the city. It has been held twice at Tampa Stadium and twice at Raymond James Stadium.
The last time a Super Bowl was held at Raymond James Stadium was Super Bowl XLIII between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers won the game.
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WILL FANS ATTEND THE GAME?
The coronavirus pandemic put a stranglehold on some teams’ decisions to have fans in the stands, but NFL teams that played games in Florida had opened their stadiums for fans gradually.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Jan. 22 that 22,000 fans would be able to be in attendance. There will be 7,500 vaccinated health care workers invited to the game as well.
"These dedicated health care workers continue to put their own lives at risk to serve others, and we owe them our ongoing gratitude," Goodell said. "We hope in a small way that this initiative will inspire our country and recognize these true American heroes. This is also an opportunity to promote the importance of vaccination and appropriate health practices, including wearing masks in public settings."
There will be rigorous measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including mandatory mask-wearing and podded seating.
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WHO WILL SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM?
R&B star Jazmine Sullivan and country singer Eric Church will join forces to sing the national anthem at the next month’s Super Bowl, where Grammy-winning singer H.E.R. will perform "America the Beautiful."
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WHO IS PERFORMING AT HALFTIME?
The Weeknd was announced as the halftime performer.
It’s unclear if any other acts will be joining him.
Last year, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira put on a sensational show in Miami.
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HISTORY IN TAMPA
The Buccaneers will be the first team in NFL history to play in the Super Bowl at their home stadium. Tom Brady is appearing in his 10th Super Bowl – more than 11 other franchises combined. His potential seventh win would be more than any franchise in NFL history.
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POETRY IN ACTION
Amanda Gorman dazzled those watching President Biden’s inauguration with her poetry and the NFL will have her participate in Super Bowl LV with an original poem. Gorman will be inside Raymond James Stadium reciting the poem for the fans in attendance and those watching at home.