The Super Bowl is the American professional football championship game. Every year, the winners of American football’s two divisions meet and play again to determine which team is the best. Unlike other popular sports in the United States, such as baseball, basketball, and hockey, American football does not have a season. You don’t have to play three, four, five, or seven games to determine the winner. You only play one game, which is known as the Super Bowl. Why is it called a “bowl”? Many football championship games, including those for American football teams at the college or university level, are referred to as bowls.
You’ve probably heard of a “bowl.” Typically, it is a round container into which food is placed. Well, some people thought a football stadium looked a little like a bowl, so – believe it or not – we started calling these football championship games “bowls.” Because we’re talking about the professional football league – the National Football League, as it’s known – someone decided that it would be the biggest bowl game in football, hence the name Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl has been held every year since 1969, in either January or February. It takes place on a Sunday afternoon, hence the name “Super Bowl Sunday.” A football game is divided into two halves – two parts of the game. There is a time between the two halves when the teams can go back and rest, and people can get up and get food and so on.
Because the Super Bowl is such an important and popular game, many Americans like to throw a party – what we might call a “viewing party” – where everyone comes over and you have food and drinks for them to eat and drink while you watch the game together. Super Bowl parties are very popular and, in my opinion, have grown in popularity in recent years.
You can also have your food delivered in some restaurants. People who don’t like American football often attend Super Bowl parties, but it becomes a social event where you get to see your friends and family and is basically just another excuse to party.
Many people watch the Super Bowl not for the game, but for the commercials – the advertisements shown during the game. Because this game is one of the most popular television events of the year, many of the world’s largest corporations produce advertisements for it. Many of the advertisements are thought to be innovative. Many of them are amusing, so watching the commercials, or advertisements, during the game is almost like a separate form of entertainment.
Many people enjoy watching the halftime show, which features popular entertainers, often singers. So, that’s one of many uniquely American customs we could discuss, and it’s certainly one that millions of Americans enjoy.