Super Bowl week has officially begun once the opening night festivities kick off.
Formerly called media day, this is the annual press conference spectacle that takes place Monday night. The event has gotten so wild that the NFL put it on TV and moved it into primetime.
This year, it’ll be airing on NFL Network and ESPN2 starting at 8 p.m ET. Among the players set to take part in the event include Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Doug Pederson, and Nick Foles among others. Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski is still in the NFL concussion protocol and will not take part.
The event begins with the Patriots at 8:10 p.m. ET and the Eagles taking the stage at 10 p.m. ET.
How to watch Super Bowl Opening Night
Time: 8 p.m. ET (Patriots: 8:10-9:10 p.m.; Eagles: 10-11 p.m.)
Location: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
TV: NFL Network, ESPN2
Online Stream: WatchESPN and NFL Mobile.
NFL Honors Show
After opening night, there will still be plenty of events taking place in St. Paul this week. The biggest event is the annual NFL Honors show on Saturday, the night before the Super Bowl.
Comedian and actor Rob Riggle will host the 2018 NFL Honors awards show, which will be held at the University of Minnesota and honor the top NFL players from this season. It’s unlikely we’ll hear any Cincinnati Bengals called.
The following awards will be announced at the NFL Honors:
- AP Most Valuable Player
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
- AP Coach of the Year
- AP Comeback Player of the Year
- AP Offensive Player of the Year
- AP Defensive Player of the Year
- AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
- AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Bridgestone Elite Performance Play of the Year
- FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Year
- Salute To Service Award
- Courtyard’s Greatness on the Road Award
- Deacon Jones Award
- Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award
- Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year
- Castrol EDGE Clutch Performer of the Year
- Touchdown Celebration of the Year
- Game Changer Award
The NFL Honors will air on NBC at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 3.
Other events taking place this week:
- NFL Play 60 Character Camp (Jan. 29)
- Shriners Hospitals Play 60 All-Ability Event (Jan. 29)
- Creating A Culture of Care: An Insideout Initiative Event (Jan. 30)
- Special Olympics Unified Flag Football Game & Polar Plunge (Jan. 30)
- Salute to Service Military Appreciation Day (Jan. 30)
- NFL Play 60 Kids’ Day at Super Bowl Experience (Jan. 31)
- Play Football Family Festival (Jan. 31)
- The Kids Tailgate Party (Jan. 31)
- Play Football Middle School Developmental Camp (Feb. 1)
- Man of the Year Legacy Reception (Feb. 1)
- Man of the Year Fan Forum (Feb. 2)
- Play Football High School Day (Feb. 2)
- Ross Initiative In Sports For Equality (Rise) Super Bowl Town Hall (Feb. 2)
- Super Bowl 52 at 6 p.m. EST (Feb. 4)
What are you looking forward to most among the pre-Super Bowl festivities?