Feb 1, 2015 – The Patriots defeat the Seahawks 28‑24 in Super Bowl XLIX, the franchises’ first championship meeting, a result that later fuels the 2026 rematch narrative [4].

Feb 7, 2016 – Levi’s Stadium hosts Super Bowl 50, where the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24‑10, marking the venue’s inaugural championship and establishing it as a premier NFL site [6].

Feb 3, 2019 – New England wins Super Bowl LIII 13‑3 over the Los Angeles Rams, its most recent title before a seven‑year drought, cementing the team’s record of six championships [7].

2021 – The NFL adopts a schedule that places the Super Bowl on the second Sunday in February, a pattern that continues through the 2026 game [6].

2025 season – Mike Vrabel transforms the Patriots from a 4‑13 record to 14‑3, tying the league’s biggest single‑season win swing and positioning New England for its first Super Bowl since 2019 [1].

2025 season – Sam Darnold guides the Seahawks to a second consecutive 14‑win season, the first quarterback to post back‑to‑back 14‑win campaigns with different teams, while the “Dark Side” defense anchors Seattle’s NFC‑top seed [1].

2025 – Bad Bunny is announced as the first solo male Latin artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, promising an all‑Spanish performance that adds a historic cultural milestone [1].

2025 – Former President Donald Trump tells the New York Post the halftime acts are “terrible” and “anti‑them,” and he declines to attend the game, sparking political controversy around the event [1].

Sept 20, 2025 – Eric and Stephanie Canup marry in Yakima, Washington; the officiant, “Referee Reverend” Christina Van Horn, pronounces them “Super Bowl champions” as the couple’s loyalties split between Seattle and New England [12].

Jan 25, 2026 – The Patriots defeat the Denver Broncos 10‑7 in a snowy AFC championship, with rookie quarterback Drake Maye scoring the game‑winning touchdown run and Andy Borregales converting the decisive field goal [2].

Jan 25, 2026 – The Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams 31‑27 in the NFC championship, as Sam Darnold throws three touchdowns and the defense forces a turnover on downs inside the 10‑yard line [2].

Feb 2, 2026 – The Super Bowl Opening Night at the San Jose Convention Center runs with a subdued crowd of 2,000 credentialed reporters, while Drake Maye thanks his wife Ann Michael Maye for her viral baking videos and coach Mike Vrabel avoids Brady comparisons, joking about “sliming” Stefon Diggs [10].

Feb 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium, featuring the Patriots vs. Seahawks rematch, Bad Bunny headlining the Apple Music halftime show, Green Day opening the ceremony, and pre‑game performances by Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones [6].

Feb 8, 2026 – Betting markets list Seattle as a 4½‑point favorite over New England, reflecting confidence in the Seahawks’ defense and recent playoff dominance [6].

Feb 8, 2026 – At 23 years old, Drake Maye becomes the second‑youngest quarterback ever to start a Super Bowl, joining Dan Marino in age rank and entering as an AP NFL MVP finalist [5].

Feb 8, 2026 – Mike Vrabel eyes a unique player‑coach Super Bowl triumph, aiming to become the first person to win the Lombardi Trophy as both player and head coach for the same franchise [5].

Feb 8, 2026 – New England’s defense allows only 26 points across three playoff games (8.7 ppg), the fewest since the 2000 Ravens, underscoring a historic low‑scoring postseason run [5].

Feb 8, 2026 – The broadcast draws a record 127.7 million U.S. viewers, surpassing the previous high and cementing the game as the most‑watched television event in American history [3].

Feb 8, 2026 – The NFL rolls out new accessibility features, including a tactile device that tracks the ball for blind fans and multilingual ASL signing during the pre‑game and halftime shows [9].

Feb 8, 2026 – Later that evening, NBC’s Mike Tirico also hosts the Winter Olympics primetime show, repeating his dual‑hosting feat from 2022 [6].

Post‑game 2026 – The league announces plans to explore replay review for player‑safety penalties missed by officials, aiming to enhance on‑field safety in future seasons [11].