One of the most wide-open races for the biggest title in American Football in years culminates with the old ‘Evil Empire’ of the New England Patriots battling the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, February 8th, to decide the new NFL champions.
This is the first Super Bowl appearance for the Patriots since 2019 and the first without either Tom Brady or Bill Belichick since 2002.
For the Seahawks, this is their first since 2015 when they lost out to the aforementioned double act of Brady and Belichick. Eleven years on, revenge is the name of the game for the Seahawks.
Super Bowl 2026 key information
• Date: Sunday, February 8th
• Kick-off time: 23:30 GMT
• Venue: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
• Referee: Shaun Smith
• TV channels: Sky Sports (UK) | Channel 5 (UK)
• Streaming: bet365 (UK)
• Odds: SEA (5/12) - NE (39/20)
Patriots' road to the final
The Patriots’ road back to the Super Bowl was built on discipline, defensive control, and week-to-week consistency.
During the regular season, New England established itself as one of the NFL’s most reliable units, with an amazing offence that seemed to execute at an unstoppable level. This led them to finish the regular season 1st in the AFC East, with a 14-3 record.
Once the playoffs began, the Patriots leaned into experience, winning tight contests through game management and adaptability.
New England’s route to the Super Bowl:
Regular season:
1st in the AFC East (14-3)
Postseason:
Bt. Los Angeles Chargers (16–3)
Bt. Houston Texans (28–16)
Bt. Denver Broncos (10–7)
Seahawks' road to the final
Seattle’s path to the final was built on athleticism, versatility, frustrating offences with a smothering defence.
During the regular season, the Seahawks fielded the league’s best defence, consistently executing high-level defensive plays, adjusting to situations and opponents.
In the playoffs, Seattle proved it could win in multiple ways, smothering the 49ers before facing the league’s top offence, the Los Angeles Rams and prevailing.
Seattle’s route to the Super Bowl:
Regular season:
1st in the NFC West (14-3)
Postseason:
Bt. San Francisco 49ers (41-6)
Bt. Los Angeles Rams (31–27)
Key players to watch
New England's Drake Maye is one of the top contenders for this season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
His fearless play sees big plays coming off under big pressure, and in just his second-year at quarterback - being the third overall pick in the 2024 draft - Maye will be the second youngest quarterback to start a Super Bowl, and could become the youngest to win one, eclipsing Brady’s record of 24 years and six months (Maye is 23 years and five months old).
Seattle’s quarterback, Sam Darnold, has had a redemption season, showing that early career setbacks do not define you.
His offensive partnership with Offensive Player of the Year candidate Jaxon Smith-Njigba has seen the Seahawks combine their stout defence with explosive attack, creating a team that is arguably the full package.
Match-up breakdown
The match is being billed as Seahawks Defence v Patriots Offence.
Seattle have the league’s best defence, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards of any team.
The Patriots ranked third in total scoring, second in points per game, and second in rushing yards, leading the league in completion percentage at 71.9%.
Unstoppable force meets immovable object?
Who are the favourites?
The Seahawks are the favourites to win Super Bowl LX. They are 5/12 at bet365, with the Patriots at 39/20.
The Patriots may have Maye, who is considered better than Darnold; the Seahawks running backs, wide receivers, and offensive linemen are all considered superior, hence the odds.
Historical context
This will be the second time the Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. The Patriots won that first meeting in 2015, 28-24.
Overall, New England have won six Super Bowls, the most recent being in 2019 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Seattle have won the Super Bowl once before, in 2013, where they beat the Denver Broncos, 43-8.