星期天可谓美国的一个非正式假日。在晚上的超级碗橄榄球大赛时，亿万美国人将在围坐在电视机前，观看这一美国年度最大的体育赛事。
今年第49届超级碗比赛对战双方是来自西雅图的海鹰队与来自波士顿的新英格兰爱国者队。这也是爱国者队第8次进入超级碗决赛。比赛将在中立场地亚利桑那州菲尼克斯市进行。
今年大赛的官方票价为800到1900美元，但是早已抢购一空。开赛前的几个小时内，黄牛票价可高达几千美元一张。然而，大多数美国人将在酒吧和餐厅观看比赛。全国各地还有传统的超级碗派对。
和比赛一样受欢迎的是电视广告。赞助商展示最具创意的广告，希望通过接触庞大的观众提高声誉和销售。今年30秒广告的费用为450万美元。一些公司购买好几分钟的播出时间。
中场休息是超级碗的另一特色。今年的娱乐节目由著名歌星凯蒂·佩里提供。佩里以其服饰奢华，音乐会铺张和个性独特而著称。
在比赛预测推算中新英格兰队稍稍领先。据称新英格兰爱国者队将在亚利桑那州凤凰城大学体育场比赛中击败海鹰队。
Sunday is an unofficial holiday in the United States as millions of Americans gather in front of televisions for the annual National Football League championship; the Super Bowl.
This year's game is the 49th and features the defending champion Seattle Seahawks playing three-time winners the New England Patriots. The Patriots are making a record eighth Super Bowl appearance.
The official cost for tickets this year ranges from $800 to $1,900, but they are nearly impossible to get at those prices. Ticket brokers are charging several thousand dollars per ticket in the hours before game time.
However, most Americans will watch the game in bars and restaurants, and at traditional Super Bowl parties in homes across the nation.
Just as popular as the game are the television commercials, with sponsors presenting their most creative advertisements in hopes of boosting reputations and sales by reaching the huge audience. The cost of a 30-second ad this year is $4.5 million, with some companies buying several minutes of air time.
The halftime show is yet another major feature of the Super Bowl, with this year's entertainment provided by pop star Katy Perry. She is known for her lavish costumes, extravagant concerts and unique personality.
As for the game itself, the oddsmakers have made New England a slight favorite to beat the Seahawks in Sunday night's matchup at the University of Phoenix stadium in (Glendale,) Arizona (in the southwestern U.S.).
