Super Bowl The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the National Football League ( NFL ) , the highest level of professional American football in the United States . The day on which the Super Bowl is played , now considered by some a " de facto " American , is called " Super Bowl Sunday " . It is the second - largest day for U . S . food consumption , after Thanksgiving Day . In addition , the Super Bowl has frequently been the most watched American television broadcast of the year ; the four most - watched broadcasts in U . S . television history are Super Bowls . In 2011 , Super Bowl XLV became the most - watched American television program in history with an average audience of 111 million viewers , surpassing the previous year ' s Super Bowl , which itself had taken over the number - one spot held for 28 years by the final episode of " M * A * S * H " . The game has also inspired various counterprogramming traditions , such as " The Puppy Bowl " . Because of the high viewership , commercial airtime during the Super Bowl broadcast is the most expensive of the year , leading to companies regularly developing their most expensive advertisements for this broadcast . As a result , watching and discussing the broadcast ' s commercials has become a significant aspect of the event . The Muppets have appeared in several Super Bowl spots throughout the years selling Lays Potato Chips , the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander , and appeared with Jessica Simpson in Pizza Hut commercials for three consecutive Super Bowls . In addition to the high - profile ads , popular singers and musicians including Michael Jackson , Madonna , Prince , Beyoncé , Destiny ' s Child , Bruno Mars , Red Hot Chili Peppers , Diana Ross , Stevie Wonder , Paul McCartney , Cee Lo Green , The Blues Brothers , James Brown , The Rolling Stones , Bruce Springsteen , ZZ Top , Boyz II Men , Smokey Robinson , Gloria Estefan , Patti LaBelle , Aerosmith , * NSYNC , Tina Turner , Phil Collins , Queen Latifah , Savion Glover , Al Hirt , Carol Channing , Andy Williams , Tony Bennett , The Blues Brothers , Indiana Jones , and Cirque du Soleil have performed during the event ' s halftime ceremonies . The NFL restricts the use of its " Super Bowl " trademark ; it is frequently called the " Big Game " or other generic terms by non - sponsoring corporations . In 2014 , " Muppets Most Wanted " was sponsor of the game ' s pre - show , dubbed " The Muppets Most Wanted Pregame Show . " Additionally , in conjunction with their appearance in a Toyota ad that year , the Muppets live - Tweeted the game . In 2018 , the Muppets social media accounts posted a video of a group text message conversation between the Muppet characters as they prepare for Scooter ' s annual " Big Game " party . At the start of Super Bowl 50 in 2016 , Big Bird appeared in a game - opening montage of celebrities commenting on their favorite Super Bowl memories and sharing advice for the players ; other celebrities in the montage included : Tyra Banks , Jack Black , Garth Brooks , Bugs Bunny , Anna Faris , Jamie Foxx , Lady Gaga , Ron Howard , LL Cool J , Larry King , David Letterman , Chris Rock , Ray Romano , John Travolta and Betty White .