The biggest night in American football is here, and with it comes plenty of storylines beyond just the game. From Kendrick Lamar’s potential setlist drama to a surprising connection between David Beckham and Matt Damon, here’s what to watch for at Super Bowl 59.
Kendrick Lamar will take center stage for the Super Bowl halftime show, marking his second time performing at the event. He’ll be joined by R&B sensation SZA, but the biggest question leading up to the show is whether he’ll include his Grammy-winning track Not Like Us in the setlist.
The song, widely interpreted as a diss toward fellow rapper Drake, was one of Lamar’s biggest hits last year. However, with Drake having recently filed a lawsuit accusing Lamar of defamation and harassment, the rapper may choose to avoid further controversy on one of the world's biggest stages.
Lamar's decision will be closely watched by the millions expected to tune in—last year’s Super Bowl set a record with over 123 million viewers in the U.S. alone.
While the game itself will take center stage, many eyes will be on pop superstar Taylor Swift, who is dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The couple went public in 2023, and Swift was spotted celebrating on the field when the Chiefs won last year's championship.
This year, speculation is swirling that Kelce might propose if the Chiefs win again. When asked about the rumors, Kelce playfully responded, “Wouldn’t you like to know?” leaving fans eagerly awaiting what might unfold after the final whistle.
Super Bowl commercials are as much a spectacle as the game itself, with companies spending millions to secure premium ad slots.
One of the most talked-about commercials this year features soccer legend David Beckham alongside Hollywood star Matt Damon. The ad, promoting Stella Artois, humorously introduces Damon as Beckham’s long-lost twin, "Dave Beckham," in an unexpected comedic twist.
Other major brands have pulled out all the stops as well. Hellmann’s mayonnaise will parody When Harry Met Sally, starring actress Sydney Sweeney, while Barry Keoghan appears in an ad for Squarespace. Meanwhile, Haagen-Dazs has recruited actors from Fast & Furious, and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is promoting HexClad cookware.
Donald Trump is set to become the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl. Having previously attended NFL games while campaigning, his presence at the championship game is a historic moment.
Trump has had a complicated relationship with the NFL, criticizing commissioner Roger Goodell over rule changes and expressing disapproval of players kneeling during the national anthem as a protest against racial injustice.
For the past four Super Bowls, the phrase “End Racism” has been prominently displayed on the field, but this year, the NFL has opted for different messaging.Instead, phrases like “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us” will be used, following recent national tragedies, including the New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans and the California wildfires.
League commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized that the NFL remains committed to diversity and inclusion, saying, “We have not only convinced ourselves but proven that these efforts make the NFL stronger.”Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem, joining a long list of legendary Super Bowl singers. Fans will be watching closely for any memorable moments—or mishaps—such as Christina Aguilera’s infamous lyric flub years ago.
Other pre-game performances include America the Beautiful, performed by Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle, and Lift Every Voice and Sing, sung by Ledisi.For fans eager to tune in, live coverage will be available on ITV, Sky Sports, and DAZN, while BBC port will provide live text updates and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra will feature radio commentary.
This year’s game is a rematch of Super Bowl 57, when the Kansas City Chiefs edged out the Philadelphia Eagles with a last-minute field goal. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes now has a chance to lead his team to a historic three-peat—a feat never before accomplished in the modern NFL era
