Going to a Super Bowl party?

The Super Bowl. It is an American sporting tradition. The two top teams in the NFL (National Football League) battle it out in early February for the right to be called the NFL champion for that season.

They say it is the biggest sporting event of the year. I thought that was the Tour de France but lets not split hairs.

I have to disclose something here, I don't think I have ever sat down and watched the game from go to woe but I think it would be really cool to get a ticket and go along to the stadium once in my lifetime to experience the American sporting atmosphere.

My image of the Super Bowl is the idea of people inviting their friends and family around for a Super Bowl party. The have some great food, drink a few beers and basically enjoy the night. (Does that sound about right?)

I wonder, how many people have actually watched a NFL game in that season. I bet that a large percentage of people have:

a. Not watched a game that season
b. No idea who is playing
c. No idea about the rules
d. Wondered why they wear helmets and pads (in fact rugby fans like myself wonder that all the              time.)
e. Just gone to the party because it is the thing to do.

What is it about sport that gets people to congregate?

I think about the Hong Kong 7's. For those of you that don't know, the Hong Kong 7's is arguably the biggest event on the Hong Kong sporting calendar and it is a rugby union tournament. Rugby union is traditionally played with 15 people per team but this tournament is only 7.

People, even if they are not particularly interested in rugby will flock to this event because it is the thing to do.

I always thought it would be a good thing to go to but have never made the trip. Firstly, I don't really like rugby 7's. I find it boring actually. Also the three days of constant drinking and socialising would be too much stimulation for me, I would say.

I'm sure people who go to these events have a great time and they look forward to as one of the biggest events on their social calendars for the year. I've always wondered if they can tell me the winner of the game if I see them the next morning. I doubt it.

I went to watch the Japan 7's tournament a couple of times and I have no idea which team won which just goes to show why people go along to these events.

Enjoy the game and I look forward to a full report on the game on Monday morning.