Get ready for an epic Super Bowl showdown! The 2026 edition is here, and it's a battle between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks in sunny Santa Clara, California. But this game is about more than just touchdowns and field goals; it's a cultural event with a billion-dollar battle for your attention.
The Super Bowl Ads: A Billion-Dollar Battle
In the world of American football, the Super Bowl is the pinnacle, with star players earning astronomical salaries and TV networks shelling out millions for broadcast rights. However, the real money-maker might just be the commercial breaks. Super Bowl ads have become a phenomenon, with major brands investing heavily to create 30-second masterpieces that capture the nation's attention. The price tag? A staggering $8 to $10 million for a single 30-second slot.
Some ads remain top-secret until game day, but there are trends that emerge. Last year, over 60% of the ads featured celebrity talent, with almost 100 celebrities making appearances. And the cost of booking all that A-list talent? A whopping $253 million! That's right, a quarter of a billion dollars just for one day's worth of ads.
Check out this wrap-up of the buzziest Super Bowl ads released before the big game.
Green Day's Pre-Game Performance: A Political Statement
If you enjoyed Green Day's pre-game show, you might be interested to know that their Friday performance was even more explosive. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong took a stand against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, urging them to quit their jobs. He dedicated the song 'Holiday' to the people of Minneapolis and even changed some lyrics to reference 'Epstein Island'. Green Day's performance was a powerful statement, and it's still resonating today.
Half-Time Update: Seattle Leads 9-0
At half-time, the Seattle Seahawks are ahead with a 9-0 lead. It's been a tight game so far, with both teams' defenses holding strong. The pressure at the line has been intense, and running backs have had little room to maneuver. This is the first time all season that the Patriots have been held scoreless in the first half. A nine-point lead is usually not enough to feel confident in the NFL, but this Super Bowl feels like it could go either way.
Could Aussie punter Michael Dickson join Jordan Mailata as the second Australian to start and win a Super Bowl?
Bad Bunny's Album: A Political Statement and a Love Letter to Puerto Rico
Bad Bunny's album, 'DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS', has sparked an online trend with its cover featuring two white plastic chairs against a tropical backdrop. Benito's songwriting often delves into the political, especially when it comes to Puerto Rico. In 'Lo Que Paso A Hawaii', he sings about gentrification and the impact it has on his beloved island. He even hints at a past relationship with Kendall Jenner in the song 'Kloufrens', singing about feeling 'colonised'.
Bad Bunny's music is a mix of nostalgia and political commentary. In the 'NUEVAYoL' music video, a voice resembling President Donald Trump apologizes to immigrants, acknowledging their importance to the country. It's a powerful message, especially in the context of the protests outside the stadium against ICE and Trump's immigration policies.
Protests and Political Statements Outside the Stadium
Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside Levi's Stadium to voice their opposition to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and Donald Trump's immigration policy. Signs read 'killer ICE off our streets' and 'no more detentions, no more deportations, abolish ICE'. The protesters include members of Latinos Contra Cancer and the Patient Organising Committee, a non-profit advocating for accessible healthcare for the Latino community.
Food Fit for a Super Bowl: The $180 Burger
When it comes to the Super Bowl, it's all about going big. At Levi's Stadium, you can find the 'LX burger', a colossal braised veal shank with blue cheese sauce, served on a house-baked brioche bun. It's so massive, it could feed four people! But be prepared to pay a premium; this burger will set you back a whopping $180. It's the most expensive concession item at the Super Bowl, equivalent to buying 18 hot dogs. And if you want to wash it down with a beverage, be ready to shell out $36 for a double tequila sunrise.
Duolingo's Ad: Teaching Bad Bunny Fans Puerto Rican Slang
As we approach half-time, our resident Bad Bunny expert, Kayla Olaya, has put together a guide to some Puerto Rican slang. Even if you're familiar with Spanish, Benito's vocabulary might be a bit different. In Puerto Rico, slang is a part of the national identity, and Duolingo has created an ad to teach some of these unique words. The ad translates 'perreo' and 'titi me pregunto' (meaning 'twerk' and 'aunty asked me', respectively), and then Mr. Owlingo himself starts to twerk. Bad Bunny's songs also feature words like 'bichote' (drug lord), 'bellakeo' (flirt, hook-up), and 'pichear' (forget it!).
Aussie Punter Michael Dickson: A Star in the Making
With the game still tight, punters like Michael Dickson have had a chance to shine. The former Sydney Swans academy member has had an outstanding game for the Seahawks, consistently landing punts deep in the Patriots' territory. ESPN's commentary praised Dickson's performance, calling it 'absolute perfection' and recognizing him as one of the best in the world.
The Patriots' Comeback: A Political Statement?
By Emma Kemp
The association between the Patriots and MAGA is hard to ignore, especially with Melania's recent documentary, which was widely panned as propaganda. The premiere in Washington provided evidence that Robert Kraft's billionaire bromance with Donald Trump is back on track. Kraft, the New England owner, was seen sitting next to Trump in the presidential box, joining in a standing ovation as if they had never had a falling out. It seems that the Kraft who donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration is back, and his support for the former president is once again on full display.
Read more about New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's relationship with Trump here.
