Super Bowl XLVIII - February 2nd 2014

The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather than the year in which it is held. Source Wikipedia

Walking to the MetLife Stadium

Our view from the studio

I was fortunate enough to be able to work at Super Bowl this year in my role as a make up artist for the Sky Sports NFL team. It was an interesting experience and perhaps the best thing about it for me was the spectacle. It is incredibly well produced and one of the most watched televised annual sporting events in the world. Security is extremely tight - cars are not allowed to tailgate and without a parking permit are not permitted anywhere near the stadium grounds. On approach our people carrier was redirected by wardens a number of times and before even being allowed out of the vehicle it was swept by some serious looking security guards who eventually allowed us in. 

Half time show

In between on air segments

The big screen

Once inside however, we were able to get on with the job of putting on the show. Our studio was just under the MetLife sign at the Seahawks end so we had a great view of the game and the half time show which featured Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The atmosphere was electric and a very enthusiastic crowd really made some noise. The tickets were not cheap .. upwards from $1,500 per person so if you had a seat you were definitely committed to having a great time! Nothing comes cheap at Super Bowl. A plain hot dog was $13 .. that gives you an idea of the starting price! So if you take into account that neither of the teams were local .. Denver Broncos (Colorado) and Seattle Seahawks (Washington State) it's a lot of money that most people I know would rather spend on having a great holiday! 

However, I appreciate what it means to die hard fans and it is an American institution where people have Super Bowl parties at home while watching the game .. not a bad way to spend a cold winter's night!

If you are interested in next year's Super Bowl XLIX it will be held in Glendale, Arizona.

http://azsuperbowl.com/