The Super Bowl is expected to attract its largest audience ever, along with a record number of bets.

• PredictHQ forecasts that Super Bowl 56, featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, may attract 117 million viewers.
• The 2015 Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks drew 114 million viewers, and the total audience for the event would surpass this number.
• A record 31.4 million Americans are projected to bet $7.6 billion on the Bengals-Rams game, according to the American Gaming Association.

The 2022 Super Bowl between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams is expected to attract a record number of viewers, and the total amount of money wagered on the game could exceed $7 billion.

According to data analytics firm PredictHQ, the National Football League's championship game is projected to have 117 million viewers on NBC's network, a 21% increase from the 2021 Super Bowl, which drew 96.4 million viewers, the NFL's lowest audience since 2007.

The total audience for the upcoming event will surpass the 2015 Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, which drew 114 million viewers and holds the record for the most-watched show in television history.

Campbell Brown, CEO of PredictHQ, stated that the 2022 Super Bowl projection is high, but their models have been examining it. He added that they are constantly adjusting and ensuring their models are accurate.

Using demand data

PredictHQ utilizes consumer behavior patterns during live events to forecast demand for various companies, including quick-serve restaurants such as . Additionally, the San Francisco-based tech company has a partnership with Amazon, where PredictHQ's software acts as Alexa's "event brain," helping the device respond to queries about live events.

We are the ones providing Alexa with information, and we are the only ones doing it. We are increasing our customers' awareness of the real world.

PredictHQ is utilizing buying behavior related to the Super Bowl 56 and incorporating factors such as "team performance, game-outcome uncertainty, star players, location, and prior NFL viewership" for its projection.

Super Bowl 56 is predicted to attract approximately 13.3 million viewers in California and 4.2 million people in Ohio, marking the first time the Bengals have appeared in the Super Bowl since their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in 1988. Despite their 0-2 record in previous Super Bowl appearances, the Bengals are expected to draw a significant audience.

Last year's Super Bowl viewership total was predicted by PredictHQ with a 99.6% accuracy rate two weeks before the game, as stated by Brown, who labeled the company a demand-intelligence firm.

PredictHQ did not estimate viewership for the 2020 Super Bowl when it launched its demand-intelligence product, but it did forecast viewership for the Kansas City Chiefs versus Buffalo Bills AFC divisional matchup last month.

PredictHQ estimated that the AFC showdown would have around 46 million viewers, which was close to the official number of 42.7 million viewers, with a peak of 51.6 million.

Despite the pandemic's impact on sports events in 2020, the NFL experienced a rebound in its 2021 season, with the conference championship games attracting an average of 49.6 million viewers, a 10% increase from the previous year and a 16% rise compared to 2019.

Super Bowl 56 is expected to benefit from the return of spectators in 2021, as predicted by PredictHQ.

Other firms are also predicting healthy business around Sunday’s game.

The Bengals-Rams Super Bowl matchup is predicted by Loop Capital Markets to increase new TV sales for NBC. Furthermore, Macquarie Capital reports that NBC sold out of its ad inventory, charging $7 million per 30 seconds in some deals. This is more than the $6.5 million it set for inventory throughout 2021 and an increase from the $5.5 million charged for Super Bowl 55. NBC will broadcast the game for the first time since 2018.

The popularity of the sport this year, with ratings up 10 percent overall, reflects the underlying strength of the ad market. Additionally, advertisers receive more value for their ($7 million) investment, as their ads are shown on both the Telemundo broadcast and Peacock stream.

Sports betting projected to hit record

The American Gaming Association predicted on Tuesday that a record 31.4 million Americans would place $7.6 billion in bets on the Bengals-Rams game, compared to $3.3 billion wagered last year during the Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Chiefs game.

The Rams are predicted to win Super Bowl 56 by 55% of gamblers, while 45% are betting on the Bengals.

Jim McIngvale, commonly known as “Mattress Mack,” placed a $4.5 million bet on the Bengals to win. Despite the Rams being favored to win by four points or less, 59% of FanDuel’s handle is on the Bengals. Similarly, as of Tuesday, DraftKings’ data shows 54% of its handle on the Bengals.

In the U.S., 31 states and Washington D.C. now allow legal sports betting. Last month, New York surpassed New Jersey as the top sports betting market with a record $1.6 billion in wagers.