Highlights and Predictions for Super Bowl LX
Ever wonder how one city gets to host America’s biggest party? For the landmark 60th anniversary game, the answer to ‘where will the 60th Super Bowl be held?’ is Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. The way a city lands the Super Bowl has changed dramatically, and it’s no longer the high-stakes bidding war you might imagine.
Instead of cities competing against each other, the NFL now takes a more direct approach. The league identifies a preferred candidate city and works collaboratively to iron out the details, ensuring everything is ready for the global spotlight. This shift allows for more targeted planning and guarantees a smoother process.
So, how are Super Bowl host cities chosen for this exclusive invitation? According to the league’s own guidelines, a potential host must prove it can handle the immense scale of the event. A successful bid, and a key part of any future Levi’s Stadium gameday guide, depends on meeting three core requirements:
- A modern stadium with a seating capacity of at least 70,000.
- Sufficient hotel space for the teams, media, and tens of thousands of fans.
- Robust infrastructure, including a major airport and reliable transportation options.
What Do Those Roman Numerals Mean Anyway?
The ‘LX’ in Super Bowl LX is simply the Roman numeral for 60. This signifies the 60th time the NFL’s championship game has been played, a tradition that gives the event a sense of history and importance. The code is easy to crack once you know the system: L means 50, and X means 10.
The tradition itself dates back to the 1970s. A key league founder, Lamar Hunt, wanted the championship to feel more prestigious and timeless. He thought Roman numerals gave it a classic, monumental feel, ensuring each championship had its own grand title instead of just being named after the year.
Beyond the prestige, the numerals also solve a simple calendar problem. The Super Bowl is the championship for a season that starts in one year but ends in the next. Using a unique number like ‘LX’ neatly avoids confusion over which season is being decided and gives the game a clear, distinct identity.
How Do Teams Actually Score Points? The 3 Key Ways to Get on the Board
The goal of the Super Bowl is simple: have the most points when the clock runs out. But unlike sports where every score is worth the same, football has a hierarchy. You’ll see the scoreboard jump by 1, 3, or 6 points at a time, and knowing the difference is the first step to following the action.
The biggest prize is the touchdown, worth 6 points. This is the play that gets everyone on their feet. It happens when a player carries the ball across the opponent’s goal line or catches it inside the end zone—that brightly colored area at each end of the field. A touchdown is the ultimate offensive achievement.
Immediately following a touchdown, the scoring team gets a bonus opportunity. They can kick an extra point through the tall, yellow goalposts for 1 point, making the total score for that possession seven. Separately, if an offense can’t get close enough for a touchdown, they may choose to kick a field goal. This is also kicked through the goalposts but can be attempted from much farther away and is worth 3 points.
While every team hunts for the game-changing 6-point touchdown, a couple of strategic 3-point field goals can often be the difference in a tight championship game.
What Are ‘Downs’? Your 60-Second Guide to Football’s Basic Rhythm
The reason football seems to stop and start every few seconds lies in a simple concept called ‘downs.’ The team with the ball (the offense) gets four chances, or downs, to move the ball 10 yards forward. Every play you see is one of those chances.
The offense’s goal is to achieve a first down by gaining those 10 yards within their four attempts. Once they do, the system resets, and they get a brand new set of four downs to go another 10 yards. It’s like hitting a checkpoint. That yellow line you see on your TV screen? That’s the 10-yard mark they’re trying to reach.
This structure leads to a moment of high drama on fourth down. If the offense hasn’t gained the 10 yards after three tries, they face a critical decision. Going for the remaining yardage is a huge gamble; if they fail, the other team takes over the ball right at that spot, in excellent field position.
Because of that risk, teams usually choose a safer option. If they are close enough to the goalposts, they’ll likely attempt a 3-point field goal. If they are too far away, they will typically punt—kicking the ball far down the field to give the other team a worse starting position. This strategic choice is one of the key chess matches within the game.
The Halftime Headliner: Who Gets the World’s Biggest Stage?
If you’re already wondering who is performing at the 2026 halftime show, you’re not alone. The official artist for Super Bowl LX has not yet been announced. While rumors may fly, the NFL and its partners typically keep this a tightly guarded secret until revealing it in the early fall, usually around September or October.
While the headliner for Super Bowl LX is still under wraps, the past halftime show performers list shows just how exclusive this club is. Landing the gig means joining a roster of global icons. In recent history alone, the stage has been commanded by legends like:
- Prince
- Beyoncé
- U2
- Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, & Friends
This isn’t just about having a recent hit song; it’s about achieving legendary status. The decision is about much more than music. The NFL looks for an artist with massive global appeal who can entertain a diverse audience. Just as important is ‘brand safety’—the performer must be a good fit for the league’s image and its high-paying sponsors. This careful selection process ensures the 13-minute spectacle becomes a shared cultural moment.
Why Are Super Bowl Commercials So Famous and Expensive?
Long before the halftime show, the Super Bowl’s other main event unfolds during the commercial breaks. Paying for just 30 seconds of airtime can cost a company a staggering $7 million, making them some of the most expensive Super Bowl commercials ever. That price doesn’t even include hiring A-list celebrities and directors to create these mini-movies.
So, why are Super Bowl ads a big deal for brands? It comes down to one fact: people actually watch them. Unlike regular TV, the Super Bowl turns ads into part of the entertainment. It’s the one time of year a company can guarantee that over 100 million people are actively paying attention—a marketer’s dream.
The potential payoff is legendary. In 1984, Apple aired its famous ‘1984’ commercial just once during the Super Bowl to introduce the Macintosh computer. It became a news story itself, cementing its place as one of the best Super Bowl commercials of all time and launching a tech revolution.
How Can I Watch or Stream the Big Game?
Now that you know what to watch for during the breaks, let’s get you to the main event. For the date of the 2026 NFL championship, you’ll tune into NBC. For those wondering how to stream the next NFL championship, it will be available live on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, providing an option with or without cable.
If you’re thinking, ‘Wait, didn’t I watch it on a different channel last year?’—you’re right. The Super Bowl broadcast isn’t locked to one network. The NFL rotates the game annually between its main partners (NBC, CBS, FOX, and ABC/ESPN) to reach the widest possible audience. This rotation guarantees the game remains America’s biggest shared experience, always on a major, accessible channel.
What Are ‘Betting Odds’ and How Do They Work? A Simple Explanation
Even before the first whistle, betting odds tell a story about who is expected to win. Experts predict a favorite (the team more likely to win) and an underdog (the team expected to lose). This prediction sets the stage and gives you a quick snapshot of how the teams match up on paper.
The most common way this is shown is through the point spread. This isn’t about who wins, but by how much. It’s like giving the underdog a head start. For example, if a team is listed at ‘-7.5,’ they are the favorite and must win by 8 points or more to ‘cover the spread.’ The underdog, at ‘+7.5,’ can either win the game outright or lose by 7 points or fewer to win the bet. The ‘.5’ is just there to prevent ties.
If the point spread seems too complicated, there’s the moneyline. This is a straightforward bet on which team will win the game, period. The final score doesn’t matter. The only catch is that a bet on the heavy favorite won’t pay out as much as a risky—but potentially more rewarding—bet on the underdog.
So, when you see the 2026 Super Bowl betting odds explained, don’t be intimidated. It’s simply a way to measure expectations and add another layer of drama to the game.
The Ultimate Super Bowl Party Food Guide: 3 Winning Ideas
Beyond the game itself, the food table is the star of any Super Bowl party. If you’re wondering what to make for a Super Bowl party that goes beyond a simple bag of chips, here are some of the best Super Bowl party food ideas that are both impressive and simple.
Focus on interactive, low-effort options that let guests serve themselves. This frees you up to actually watch the game! Here are three winning easy Super Bowl recipes:
- A ‘Build-Your-Own’ Slider Bar: Cook a batch of small burger or pulled pork patties and set out buns with toppings like cheese, pickles, onions, and various sauces. Everyone gets exactly what they want.
- Slow-Cooker Chili or Queso: A true game-day MVP. Just dump the ingredients in the morning, set it to low, and forget about it until kickoff. Serve with a big bowl of corn chips.
- Football-Shaped Brownies: Bake a pan of brownies, use a cookie cutter (or a knife) to shape them, and pipe on white icing for the laces. It’s a fun, festive dessert that takes almost no extra effort.
The beauty of these ideas is that most of the work can be done ahead of time. Chop toppings and mix ingredients the day before, so on game day, you’re just heating and serving.
What Happens After the Clock Hits Zero?
As the last second ticks away, you’ll be able to appreciate the final chapter of the championship. You’re no longer just watching the clock run out; you’re anticipating the game’s most iconic moments.
With your new knowledge, you know what happens after the Super Bowl. Watch for the on-field stage to be built. Listen for the announcer to share the history of the Vince Lombardi Trophy as it’s presented. See if the Super Bowl MVP is the star quarterback everyone expected or a surprise hero who changed the game.
By understanding these key elements, you’re better equipped to enjoy the entire spectacle, from the strategic nuances on the field to the cultural moments that surround it.