super bowl

Hot dogs vs beef pies. Budweiser vs ale. There is an eternal battle of cultures between the US and UK, and this weekend we can add another to the list- American football vs rugby.

On Sunday night, it is of course the Super Bowl, but before then the Six Nations kicks-off on Saturday afternoon. Luckily for everyone involved, they don't clash, so you don't need to choose between two of the biggest sporting events from either side of the pond.

Instead, embrace both, choose a couple of venues and enjoy an unbeatable sporting weekend. To help you out, we've gathered together some of the best venues in London for you to watch at.

Super Bowl XLVIII

Sunday 2nd February, UK kick-off 11.25pm

Ok so it is on a Sunday night and doesn't start until almost midnight, but it is only once a year. Prepare for raucous, boozy, foody fun.

Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes

Where? Tavistock Hotel, Bedford Way, WC1H
When? 7pm-4am
Tickets £8 in advance - More Here 

As part of Foreign Fridays, we explore a different country each week through its most unusual, amusing and odd facts. If you want your country to appear, then simply get in contact with us either in the comments below or through Facebook or Twitter.

This week it is the turn of the USA:

During the weekend of the Super Bowl in 2012,
it is estimated that 1.25 billion(!) chicken
wings will be eaten in America.

This weekend is the all singing, all dancing, mega event that is the Super Bowl. On Sunday, hundreds of millions of people (literally) in America will invite their friends around, prepare the refreshments and sit down in front of the TV to watch the finalé to the American football season. They may be the only country in the world to properly understand the rules of it, but they certainly know how to put on a show.

This weekend is one dominated by sport. If you hate sport and want to try and get away from it, good luck. America will be enjoying one of the biggest sporting events of the year- the Super Bowl, whilst the Six Nations rugby tournament is kicking off in Britain and Europe.

The Super Bowl Spectacle

First up, the behemoth that is the Super Bowl. Each year the finalé of the American Football season seems to get bigger, grander and slightly more ridiculous. This Sunday, Super Bowl XLVI will be played between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in Indianapolis, and promises not to disappoint. Madonna, supported by MIA and Nicki Minaj, has been confirmed as the performer for the famous half time show.

The statistics surrounding the Super Bowl are just astounding:

• Last year 163 million Americans watched at least some of the Super Bowl on TV
• Adverts start at $3.5 million for a 30 second slot
• 15,000 tons of snacks will be eaten in America on Sunday, with the average viewer consuming 1,200 calories during the game

To get an idea of the huge operation that goes in to creating a spectacle the size of the Super Bowl, watch the video below of the last time these two teams met, four years ago.