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The Super Bowl is almost here. In just a few days, millions of people will gather around screens to witness the Seahawks and Patriots—teams that few people expected to make it this far—clash at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 8. The game will be broadcast and streamed in 4K, with several ways to watch Sam Darnold battle Drake Maye for the Vince Lombardi trophy (with a nice Bad Bunny concert as a break). So, are you ready for some football? Here's how to watch the Super Bowl this year.
How to Watch the Super Bowl on TV
The Super Bowl is expected to have full attendance at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. However, you can still catch the anticipated football match on regular TV or cable if you can't get a ticket. After you prep your snacks and beverages, plop on the couch and fire up NBC at 6:30 p.m. ET for the kickoff.
Between now and then, there's time to get a big-screen television that takes advantage of the high-definition broadcast, though you certainly don't need an 8K TV. Remember to turn on your TV's motion-smoothing option for the best picture while watching sports (and turn it off before watching other TV shows and movies).
(Credit: NFL)How to Stream the Super Bowl
Although many viewers will tune in via cable or broadcast TV, there are many ways to watch the game online. Multiple devices and platforms let you stream the contest, including smart TVs, Apple TV, Fire TV, gaming consoles, and Roku boxes. Prefer audio? You can listen to Seattle versus New England on NFL+, SiriusXM, or Westwood One.
In addition, you can watch the Super Bowl if you subscribe to a live TV streaming service that offers NBC channels, such as DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Peacock, Sling TV, or YouTube TV. For more, see our roundup of the best NFL streaming services to see available options.
Who's Performing at Halftime?
The halftime show's headliner (sponsored by Apple Music) is global superstar Bad Bunny, the King of Latin Trap. His unabashed advocacy for Puerto Rico and the rights of all immigrants against oppression has recently made him a political target. But his sheer stardom is expected to bring in tens of millions of viewers.
If you're unfamiliar with Bad Bunny's catalog, you can stream his tunes on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, and other streaming music services.
Can You Stream the Super Bowl for Free?
Last year, for the first time, the Super Bowl was available to stream live and free on Tubi, our top choice for free streaming services. However, with the Super Bowl on NBC this year, not FOX, Tubi isn't streaming the game. The Super Bowl regularly cycles between channels, though, so when it returns to FOX, don't be surprised if the free Tubi stream comes back as well. You can sign up for a trial with YouTube, Hulu, or select live TV streaming services.
Also, on Feb. 7, the day before the show, the NFL is airing a flag football game on YouTube—for free. This exhibition match features eclectic celebrity competitors, including Benson Boone, Cam Newton, Diana Flores, Druski, and Jay Cinco.
How to Watch the Super Bowl Outside the US
There are several viewing options for watching if you're located outside the United States. UK audiences can watch on the BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and mobile app, and Sky Sports. The Super Bowl will be televised on ESPN, Kayo Sports, and Seven Network in Australia, and CTV, DAZN, RDS, and TSN in Canada.
A comprehensive list of where to tune in worldwide is also available on the NFL website.
(Credit: Shutterstock / Motortion Films)How to Watch the Super Bowl With a VPN
If you're in an area where it's difficult to get a workable stream through conventional means, you should fire up a VPN. With one of our recommended virtual private networks, you can spoof your location and (hopefully) stream the Super Bowl with any of our top streaming video service picks.
Note, however, that not all VPN services are created equal. A good VPN secures your data and preserves your online privacy. The recommended services are great places to start, but please note that their compatibility with streaming platforms may change at any moment.