Below, a guide to experiencing Super Bowl 50 in the UAE, including time, television options and more ahead of the NFL's championship game between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos:
Super Bowl Time
The game is at 3.30am on Monday, February 8 in the UAE; Sunday, February 7, at 6.30pm Eastern Time in the United States; 3.30pm Pacific Time locally in San Francisco. Simple, yeah?
Super Bowl TV
This is where it gets complicated. In the UAE, both BeIn Sports and OSN Sports have NFL rights and will be airing the Super Bowl. If you have Etisalat eLife, BeIn stations begin at 739 and OSN channels begin at 781 – you'll have to scroll through a few channels for the exact station they're broadcasting on. Pick which broadcasters you prefer and stick with that channel, simple enough.
If you don't have a cable package in the UAE, you can purchase a pass from NFL.com for US$24.99 (Dh92). With an XBox you can then also stream that through to your television.
Super Bowl out on the town
Not satisfied with watching it at home? A number of establishments will be specially open to broadcast the game. Among them are Stars 'n' Bars at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and Original Wings and Rings at Dubai International Financial Centre.
ALSO SEE: Click here for The National's full guide to restaurants with Super Bowl events.
Essentials covered, what else?
Well, you can start with what our Sportsdesk thinks of the big game. Our staff see Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers with the edge, but barely, as three pick them to win against two behind Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
The half-time show, always a big draw, is slated to showcase Coldplay and Beyonce.
If you're completely new to American football, the NFL's UK website has a handy primer, too.
Why you should root for the Panthers:
Cam Newton’s visible joy for the game he plays is infectious. The Panthers, only 21 years old as a franchise, have never won a Super Bowl. Both for Newton and Carolina, who went 15-1 this year, this could be the start of a dynastic era. Did you see The Blind Side? Did you like it? Michael Oher plays for this team.
Why you should root for the Broncos:
Peyton Manning, a fading legend of the NFL, has a chance to go out on an epic high. The Broncos haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1998, when their last legendary quarterback, John Elway, rode out into the sunset on just such an epic high. Did you see The Blind Side? Did you not like it? Michael Oher plays for that other team.
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