How to survive a Super Bowl party

It's nearly Super Bowl 50 time.

For the growing number of NFL fans in the UK that's reason to be very excited.

But what if you're not really bothered about what happens and are being made, by friends or significant others, to watch?

Then fear not, Newsbeat's here to help with some top tips that'll see you through the four hour entertainment extravaganza.

Newsbeat disclaimer: The author has watched every Super Bowl since 1995.

First thing to do is pick a team to support, having an interest in who wins will make watching the match far more exciting.

But which one to go for?

If you like young, energetic and exciting sportsmen then why not back the Carolina Panthers?

Their quarterback (the highest profile player) Cam Newton has a history of doing some eye-catching things during a game.

Or if you like fairytale endings why not back the Denver Broncos?

Their 39-year-old captain Peyton Manning is regarded as one of the best players ever.

He missed most of this season because of injury and this could be his last game, a win would be the perfect way for him to retire.

But if you're from Leicester you should probably support Carolina.

Now we're not going to lie, the rules of American Football are a little bit complicated.

But if you get the gist of what's happening on the field then that'll help.

Each team is split into two units, an attacking one (called the offense) and a defensive one (called the defence).

The team which has control of the ball will have their attacking players on the pitch and the team without it will have their defensive players on.

You score by carrying the ball into the opposition's end zone (that's called a touchdown).

When your team is in control of the ball you have four attempts to advance it 10 yards up the field.

If you succeed you'll get another four attempts, and that keeps happening until you score or you fail, then the other team gets control of the ball.

Super Bowls last some time, probably around four hours from start to finish.

It's because there's normally a pause between each of the attempts the teams take to move the ball (called a play).

So that means you'll have a lot of down time between the action, eating goes hand in hand with watching this sport for that very reason.

It means you can tuck in to hotdogs and popcorn (our preferred combination) without missing much of the game itself.

Plus eating will give you the energy to stay awake (good news as kick off is around 11.15pm UK time).

UK-based NFL fans are really passionate about the game.

You'll be able to spot the Broncos and Panthers fans at your party a mile off.

They'll be decked out in their team colours (blue and orange for Denver, black and light blue for Carolina) and will be engrossed in the match.

When a team starts losing then why not try to console a distraught fan? And trust us they will be distraught.

Carolina haven't been in a Super Bowl since 2004 and Denver lost badly in their last appearance.

Winning this time, for both sets of fans, is a big deal.

If all else fails then try to keep tabs on all the celebrities you'll see on screen.

Not only are Coldplay and Beyonce performing at half-time but there'll be tonnes of A-list Hollywood stars in the stadium watching.

The only trouble is there'll be so many you might lose count.

But most of all have fun, and good luck getting up for work on Monday.

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