We’re used to seeing some wild performances, commercials, and halftime shows in Super Bowls past — remember Lady Gaga practically skydiving into the stadium? — but for the Super Bowl LVI, which will be held at SoFi Stadium in California on February 13th, tech is taking center stage.
This year it is NBC’s turn to produce the blockbuster annual event, and, unlike last year’s show where the stadium was only permitted a 37% capacity, this year there are no such COVID-19 restrictions. Attendees do, however, need to show proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test taken within the last 48 hours, and be wearing a KN95 mask while in the stadium. Apart from those slight, and now quite usual, pandemic-related hassles, NBC is not letting COVID-19 get in the way of party planning.
High-tech Cameras
Last year, since fewer people were at the event, CBS decided to utilize over 120 extra cameras all around the stadium during the broadcast. Some were controlled robotically from the stadium concourse levels and two were fixed on robotic gimbals so that those at home could get the best possible viewing experience.
This year, NBC has announced that it will use even more cameras, with three new camera angles from the goal line, sideline, and end zone. Some of the cameras used last year will be used again this year, including the Trolley Cam which travels from one end of the stadium all the way to the other at a speed of up to 65 mph live throughout the game, and a 53-foot Movie Bird crane camera on the upper concourse.
With the location a stone’s throw from Hollywood, NBC fittingly wanted movie-like technology (did we mention Actress Halle Berry will be hosting and there will be several clips shown throughout the event from famous football-themed movie cameos?), so they’re bringing in the Sony Venice cams, which were also used last year, on Steadicam rigs for an on-field cinematographic experience.
Though fans can expect superior close-up action and atmospheric shots, NBC will not, unfortunately, be streaming in 4K. But, there might be other ways for you to watch the show in top quality at home.
Graphics
Debuting at the Super Bowl LVI will be NBC’s virtual graphics package featuring impressive virtual graphics that will be displayed on the stadium’s LED scoreboard combined with footage from an on-field Steadicam. These are not the only grand graphics we can expect to see at this year’s Super Bowl; augmented reality is set to make an appearance in many commercials this year, so get your phones ready. Brands will be using AR to advertise and provide users with a fun interactive experience all through apps.
Just a few examples of companies who have jumped on the AR bandwagon are Nissan, whose Snapchat lens can be pointed at any vehicle to turn it into the new Nissan Z, and Kia, who, via TikTok, allows users to dance with its EV6 mascot, Robo Dog, as well as look for adoptable animals nearby through a collaboration with the Petfinder Foundation. Alternatively, if users would rather leave TikTok dancing to the youths, they can bring Robo Dog into their homes virtually via their smartphones.
NFTs
In a unique move, with every purchase of a Super Bowl LVI ticket through an official channel like Ticketmaster, the NFL is giving away a collectible NFT. Each commemorative nonfungible token is customized with each ticket’s seat number, and although the venue can only seat a little over 70,200 spectators, 250,000 digital ticket stubs with commemorative NFTs have been distributed as part of these trials.
With ticket prices starting at $4,400 for seats in the highest section of the stadium (not including fees, which could add an extra $1,000 at least), and going up to $50,000 if you want to sit on the 50-yard line, these collectible NFTs could end up being a welcome investment return someday — but it’s definitely too soon to tell.
As for tech that will be used in the half-time show, as always, that is top secret until the last minute and so remains to be seen. But with superstar acts from the 90s and noughties, including Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre, and Eminem, tech could easily get away with sitting this one out — at least from the Millennials’ point of view.
