Live NFL Super Bowl 2024: Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers
Monday, 12 February 2024
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers clash in Super Bowl LVIII on Monday (NZT).
Both teams won their respective playoff championship games two weeks ago to make it to the big dance at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Chiefs are looking to become back-to-back champions for the the first time in their history, while the 49ers return to the Super Bowl to contest for the Vince Lombardi Trophy four years after losing to the Chiefs in Miami.
Here are some key things you need to know.
When is the 2024 Super Bowl?
Super Bowl LVIII will be played on Monday, February 12 (NZT).
In New Zealand, kick-off will be at 12.30pm. In the US, the game gets under way at 3.30pm PST, which is a 6.30pm on the east coast.
Due to the Super Bowl being played in Las Vegas, the start will be earlier than usual due to the need for it to fall into the primetime viewing slot on the east coast.
Where is it being played?
For the first time in NFL history, the Super Bowl takes place in Las Vegas, which becomes the 16th city to host the big game.
Allegiant Stadium – the home of the Las Vegas Raiders – is the host venue, just three years after it first opened its doors in September 2020.
The stadium cost $1.9 billion to construct and boasts a regular capacity of 65,000. However, that number can expand for big events, meaning the capacity for the Super Bowl will likely exceed 70,000.
How do I watch the game?
The Super Bowl will be broadcast live and free to air on TVNZ in New Zealand.
Veteran American sportscaster Jim Nantz and former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo are the likely commentary duo.
Who is performing the halftime show?
He has big boots to fill after Rihanna’s superb performance 12 months ago, but Usher is the man with the honour this year.
His new album, Coming Home, will reportedly be released on the same day as the Super Bowl.
Usher appeared as a special guest of the Black Eyed Peas during the 2011 halftime show but now the American R&B star is the headline act.
He recently completed a 100-show residency in Las Vegas in December and has been awarded the key to the city, so he will be right at home at Allegiant Stadium.
He has described it as the 'honour of a lifetime' and has promised a show “unlike anything else they've seen from me before'.
Who won the Super Bowl in 2023?
Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in an absolute thriller. Patrick Mahomes was named MVP.
What are the latest TAB odds?
The 49ers are the slightest of favourites, according to the TAB, paying $1.73 in the head to head market. Kansas City are paying $2.03 to win.
Nearly 68 million American adults — about 1 in 4 — plan to bet on this year's Super Bowl, setting a record by a wide margin, according to the gambling industry's national trade association.
The volume of betting participation is projected to be 35% higher than last year, which was the previous record.
Sports betting is legal in 38 states plus Washington DC.
What is the Vince Lombardi Trophy?
The Super Bowl winners are awarded the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and have been every year since 1967.
The trophy is named in honour of Vince Lombardi, who coached the Green Bay Packers to the first two Super Bowl titles in 1967 and 1968.
Who are the key players on each team?
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes (quarterback)
The superstar quarterback will create history in Vegas, becoming the first NFL passer to start in four Super Bowls before the age of 30. At 28, Mahomes has lit up the league since winning the team’s starting quarterback job in 2018. He can become just the fifth quarterback to win at least three Super Bowls, joining Tom Brady (7), Joe Montana (4), Terry Bradshaw (4) and Troy Aikman (3).
Travis Kelce (tight end)
The Swifties might view him as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, but Kelce is just as talented in his chosen field. The 34-year-old, who has spent his entire career with the Chiefs, is the best tight end in the NFL and a nightmare to defend. Kelce had seven straight seasons of at least 1000 yards (2016-22). He also caught double digit touchdowns in three of those seasons, some feat for a tight end.
L'Jarius Sneed (cornerback)
Sneed was one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL this season and will be a handful for the 49ers offence. In his fourth season, he produced his finest campaign with quarterbacks having just a 45.2 passer rating targeting him. He was influential in helping the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl, punching out the football on a Zay Flowers reception at the one-yard line in the AFC Championship game against Baltimore to deny them a touchdown.
San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey (running back)
The premier running back in the NFL and a fantasy football darling, McCaffrey will suit up in his first Super Bowl. Always good for a touchdown or two most weeks, McCaffrey is a dual threat both on the ground and through the air with his outstanding receiving skills. Traded from the lousy Carolina Panthers to the Niners last season, McCaffrey has done nothing but contribute since arriving in the Bay Area.
Nick Bosa (defensive end)
The edge rusher is one of the best in the business in the NFL and will need to be on top of his game to shut down Mahomes. The No 2 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Bosa has been a cornerstone of the Niners’ defence, registering plenty of tackles and sacks, while generating strong defensive pressure. This will be his second Super Bowl, where he’ll look to go one better than Super Bowl LIV, where they lost 31-20 to these same Chiefs.
Trent Williams (offensive tackle)
Offensive tackles don’t get the same fanfare as quarterbacks or diva receivers, but are one of the most important positions. The 49ers are blessed with the top left tackle in the game in Williams who looks every bit a future Hall of Famer. The 35-year-old is an 11 time Pro Bowler, not skipping a beat with the 49ers after coming over in a trade from Washington in 2020, where he spent the first nine seasons of his career.
Where will Taylor Swift be?
Yes, apparently she will be in Las Vegas for the match.
Swift performs in Toyko the day before and is expected to arrive in Nevada in time for the kickoff.
Her romance with Chiefs star Travis Kelce has been well publicised has is surely driving interest in this year’s showcase.
About 73% of adults say they plan to watch the game this year, about 10% higher than in recent previous years, and the Swift affect has been credited in part for this rise.
A glossary of some must-know American football terms
Backfield: A term that refers to both the area of the field behind the line of scrimmage and the players who line up in that zone, namely the quarterback, running back and fullback.
Block: When a player uses their body to halt the progress of a rival player.
Bomb: A colloquial term for a long pass downfield.
Carry: When an offensive player seeks to gain yardage by running the ball.
Cover: The term used to describe when a defensive player attempts to stop a receiver from catching a pass.
Dead ball: When the ball is no longer in play. This can be when a player has run out of bounds, been tackled or an incomplete pass hits the ground.
Down: Refers to the moment the ball is snapped and when it becomes dead. The offensive team has four downs to move it at least 10 yards down the field.
Drive: When an offensive team moves down the field in a single possession.
End zone: This where a touchdown can be scored, between the end line and the goal line.
Field goal: When a kicker attempts to kick the ball between the posts off the turf. A successful field goal is worth three points.
Flag: The yellow cloth used by match officials to indicate a foul. Coaches are equipped with a red one that they can throw to challenge a call.
Fumble: If the ball carrier loses possession of a live ball accidentally, it’s known as fumble. But if an opposing player is responsible, it’s a forced fumble.
Gain line: Where the team on attack needs to get the ball to get a new set of downs.
Gridiron: Another name for American football. Also used to refer to the field of play.
Hail Mary: When a quarterback aims a long pass towards a group of receivers in or near the end zone. Usually occurs at the end of the game when their team is behind.
Handoff: The act of handing the ball to a team-mate.
Huddle: The moment when a team comes together to discuss the next play.
Interception: When an opposing player catches a pass. Also known as a ‘pick’.
Kickoff: The free kick at the start of each half, or after a touchdown or field goal.
Neutral zone: This refers to the space between the lines of scrimmage.
Passing yards: A term used to describe the number of yards a passer has thrown the ball from the line of the scrimmage.
Play clock: Measures the amount of time allowed between plays (counts down from 40 seconds once the ball goes dead, and 25 after a timeout or other stoppage).
Punt: A kick performed by dropping the ball from the hands and then punting it downfield before it hits the ground.
Quarter: An American football game consists of four 15-minute periods.
Red zone: The area between the 20-yard-line and the goal line.
Rush: The term used to describe a running play from behind the line of scrimmage.
Sack: When a defensive player tackles the quarterback of the team in possession when he is behind the line of scrimmage.
Snap: When the centre passes or hands off the ball to the quarterback to start a play.
Touchdown: Worth six points, this is when a player enters in the end zone with the ball in hand or gains possession while inside the end zone.
Turnover: When a team loses possession to their opponents during a play.
For a full list of rules and key terms, see the NFL’s website.