How Londoners are gearing up to celebrate Super Bowl LVII

Excitement is in full swing for football fans who are looking forward to the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, which is taking place in Glendale, Ariz.

In London, Ont., fans are getting ready for watch parties happening at bars across the city. Some fans are even hosting their own gatherings with local football clubs. 

Olivia Ghosh-Swaby is president of the Western women's football club, and her partner Bleska Kambamba, is the team's head coach. The couple plans to have their entire team over at their place to watch the event together. It's a tradition they've had for many years, Ghosh-Swaby said.

"We sport our favourite jerseys, bring in a food item and just kind of crowd around in front of the TV," she said. "It's just a chance for us to all socialize over football which is the thing we literally live and breathe."

"Super Bowl Sunday is essentially a holiday," Kambamba added. "It's just a lot of fun during the game and everybody sings along during the halftime show, it's a whole carnival."

Booming businesses

Sport events tend to make busy nights for many businesses as well and downtown staple Joe Kool's is no exception. Owner Charlie Smith told CBC News the sports bar is fully booked for the watch party.

"We've worried over the years that more people start watching sports at home, especially football, but it's nice to see such a big turnout this year," he said. "We're really happy about it."

His bar is offering plenty of food and drink specials along with giveaways to celebrate the game. He says his staff is also looking forward to both the game and halftime show, which will feature artist Rihanna. 

Smith says events like the Super Bowl are fantastic for business, especially for sports bars like his that rely on the energy of a crowd. 

Dundas and Sons Brewing Company is gearing up for a private event called a 'Superb Owl' party with different food items. 

Owner Rob Dundas says that although sport events do a great job generating revenue, it's hard to make up for the challenges brought onto the service industry by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The industry's still suffering, everybody thinks it's [COVID] over but we're still dealing with it," he said. "We didn't get enough support from the government even as regular people."

Dundas says he's had to get creative to make ends meet by throwing events and adding new products to his menu. He hopes more social events like the Super Bowl can allow local bars to stay afloat.  

Marking history

This year's Super Bowl is also the first time in NFL history that both teams' starting quarterbacks are Black, with Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Jalen Hurts from the Eagles. For Kambamba, this milestone is very significant, he said. 

"People are now seeing that a Black quarterback has something to offer and there's a reason why the two of them are at the biggest game of the year in the end," he said. 

But the pair are not cheering for the same team this year. Ghosh-Swaby is rooting for the Chiefs, while Kambamba's favouring the Eagles, making for an intense rivalry at home, they said.