The Super Bowl is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the biggest football game of the season. But with all the pre-game festivities, commercials, and halftime show, it can be confusing to know exactly when the game will start. In this article, we’ll break down the start time of the Super Bowl and everything you need to know to make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action.
What Time Is The Super Bowl?
Before we dive into the start time of the Super Bowl, let’s first clarify what the Super Bowl actually is. The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), where the winners of the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) face off to determine the ultimate champion of the season.
The Super Bowl is not only a highly anticipated sporting event, but it has also become a cultural phenomenon, with extravagant halftime shows, star-studded commercials, and parties across the country. It is estimated that over 100 million people tune in to watch the Super Bowl each year, making it one of the most-watched television events in the United States.
When is the Super Bowl?
The Super Bowl takes place on the first Sunday in February, with the exception of years where the first Sunday falls on February 1st. In those cases, the game is pushed back to the following Sunday, which is why the Super Bowl can sometimes take place in early February or even late January.
What time does the Super Bowl start?
The official start time of the Super Bowl is 6:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). However, this is just the start time of the game itself. There are many other events and activities that take place before the game, which we’ll break down below.
Pre-Game Festivities
The Super Bowl is not just a football game, it’s a full-day event. The pre-game festivities typically begin around 2:00 PM EST, with the official pre-game show starting at 6:00 PM EST. This pre-game show includes performances by popular artists, interviews with players and coaches, and analysis of the upcoming game.
Kickoff Time
As mentioned earlier, the official kickoff time for the Super Bowl is 6:30 PM EST. This is when the game will actually start, and the teams will take the field to begin the first quarter.
Halftime Show
One of the most highly anticipated parts of the Super Bowl is the halftime show. This is when a popular artist or band performs a 12-15 minute show in the middle of the game. The halftime show typically starts around 8:00 PM EST and is a major highlight of the event.
Post-Game Coverage
After the game ends, there is usually a post-game show that includes interviews with players and coaches, analysis of the game, and the presentation of the Super Bowl trophy to the winning team. This post-game coverage can last for an hour or more, depending on the length of the game and any post-game celebrations.
How long is the Super Bowl?
The Super Bowl typically lasts for around four hours, including all the pre-game and post-game coverage. However, the actual game itself is only 60 minutes long, with four 15-minute quarters. The rest of the time is filled with commercials, the halftime show, and other events.
What channel is the Super Bowl on?
The Super Bowl is broadcasted on a different network each year, with major networks like NBC, CBS, and FOX rotating the rights to air the game. In 2021, the Super Bowl will be broadcasted on CBS.
How to watch the Super Bowl
There are several ways to watch the Super Bowl, including traditional cable or satellite TV, streaming services, and even in-person at the stadium. Here are some options for watching the Super Bowl:
Cable or Satellite TV
If you have a cable or satellite TV subscription, you can watch the Super Bowl on the network that is broadcasting the game. This year, the Super Bowl will be broadcasted on CBS, so you can tune in to that channel to watch the game.
Streaming Services
Many streaming services now offer live TV options, which means you can watch the Super Bowl through these services. Some popular options include Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV. Just make sure the service you choose includes the network that is broadcasting the Super Bowl.
In-Person
If you’re lucky enough to score tickets to the Super Bowl, you can watch the game live at the stadium. However, tickets can be expensive and hard to come by, so this option is not feasible for most people.
Super Bowl Start Time in Different Time Zones
The Super Bowl start time is 6:30 PM EST, but what does that mean for viewers in different time zones? Here’s a breakdown of the start time in different time zones:
- Eastern Standard Time (EST): 6:30 PM
- Central Standard Time (CST): 5:30 PM
- Mountain Standard Time (MST): 4:30 PM
- Pacific Standard Time (PST): 3:30 PM
- Alaska Standard Time (AKST): 2:30 PM
- Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST): 1:30 PM
Super Bowl Start Time History
The Super Bowl has been played on the first Sunday in February since 2004, with the exception of 2014 when it was played on February 2nd. Here’s a look at the Super Bowl start time for the past 10 years:
- 2020: 6:30 PM EST
- 2019: 6:30 PM EST
- 2018: 6:30 PM EST
- 2017: 6:30 PM EST
- 2016: 6:30 PM EST
- 2015: 6:30 PM EST
- 2014: 6:30 PM EST
- 2013: 6:30 PM EST
- 2012: 6:30 PM EST
- 2011: 6:30 PM EST
Super Bowl Start Time FAQs
What time does the Super Bowl start in the UK?
The Super Bowl starts at 11:30 PM in the UK.
What time does the Super Bowl start in Australia?
The Super Bowl starts at 10:30 AM in Australia.
What time does the Super Bowl start in India?
The Super Bowl starts at 5:00 AM in India.
What time does the Super Bowl start in China?
The Super Bowl starts at 7:30 AM in China.
Conclusion
The Super Bowl is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, and with all the pre-game festivities, commercials, and halftime show, it can be confusing to know exactly when the game will start. The official start time of the Super Bowl is 6:30 PM EST, but there are many other events and activities that take place before and after the game. Make sure to tune in early to catch all the action and enjoy the biggest football game of the year!