It is finally here, the event you have been waiting for all year, the 15 minutes of television that you don't want to miss ... yes, the halftime show of Super Bowl 50.
Forget about the strong men in body armor and helmets hitting each other and throwing a brown oval-shaped ball around a rectangular-shaped grass field. For some, the main attraction of the Super Bowl is the musical extravaganza that takes center stage on the turf between the first and second halves of the game.
This year, for the golden anniversary of the biggest event on the sporting calendar, the NFL has tabbed a superstar lineup of talented performers to entertain everyone watching the big game on television, their favorite streaming device or at Levi's Stadium.
The headline act is British rockers Coldplay, making its first appearance at the Super Bowl. Formed in 1996, the band has a massive worldwide following and just released its seventh album, A Head Full of Dreams, in December. The group, best known for hits such as "Yellow," "Clocks" and "Viva La Vida," has won seven Grammy awards and sold more than 60 million records during its career.
When asked about their upcoming album at Thursday's press conference, the band hinted at what fans might expect for Sunday night's act.
"[The music] captures that feeling of hope and optimism about the future," said the band's lead vocalist, Chris Martin. "And that's what I think we're trying to celebrate at this halftime show. And the game kind of celebrates people's dreams, doesn't it?"
Being British (and likely hoping to appeal to both fan bases), Martin at first mentioned that he has no rooting interest in the game.
"We think they're all amazing, " Martin said, "Anyone who can withstand that amount of pressure and physical endurance is great in our book."
However, when told by reporters that Cam Newton's favorite song was "Clocks," drummer Will Champion also mentioned Panthers kicker Graham Gano's Scottish roots and indicated that the band would lean toward the Panthers.
"The Denver Panthers," Martin joked.
Coldplay will be joined on stage by R&B goddess Beyonce, who has previously performed at four Super Bowl shows, including as the headliner of the halftime show at Super Bowl XLVII. She is arguably one of the biggest female music icons of this generation and has won a whopping 20 Grammy Awards as both a solo artist and a member of Destiny's Child. She recently collaborated with Coldplay on a pair of songs for their most recent album, making her a natural partner for this performance.
The third confirmed special guest will be Bruno Mars, another veteran halftime performer who was at the helm of Super Bowl XLVIII. The 30-year-old has produced two albums and is beloved for his retro showmanship on stage plus his funk-infused radio hits such as "Uptown Funk." Mars is a fast-rising star in the pop music industry: since his career launched in 2010, he's already landed five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Top 100.
Additionally, playing alongside the musical stars will be the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles. The group provides an opportunity for kids aged 6 through 18 in the Los Angeles area to participate in orchestra ensembles and receive mentoring and academic tutoring at various sites throughout the region.
How to watch
When: Approximately 8 p.m. ET (kickoff is 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
TV: CBS
Online: CBSSports.com