August 8, 2007: The Beijing Super Bowl That Almost Was

Once upon a time, Beijing was going to host a big event: the Olympics. To help Beijing promote this big event, and also to promote itself, a giant wanted to come to Beijing: the NFL. And in a castle in the middle of the city -- the Workers Stadium -- the giant would bring more giants, who would clash for the entertainment of all: the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. They would call it "The China Bowl."

They chose a date: August 8, 2007, exactly one year before the Olympics would start. And throughout the land, there was rejoicing. The big men of the NFL are coming to Beijing! Hooray!

But it was not to be. The castle at Gongti would not be ready in time, Beijing said. The giants of the NFL could not come. And the people wept.

Weep not, the NFL said. We will come to Beijing another time, in 2009, after the Olympics, the NFL said. But the Olympics came and went. 2009 came and went. Now it is 2015, and the Patriots and the Seahawks will travel to Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX, and people around Beijing will watch. But still, darkness remains across the land. They have still not come to Beijing.

"Our assessment is that Chinese fans would be better served if our game in China is played at a later date after we have launched our international series of regular-season games and more effectively paved the way for the introduction of our game into China," Mark Waller, senior vice president of NFL International, when the China Bowl was postponed.

Here's how and where to watch Monday morning's game:

The NFL Super Bowl will be played Monday, February 2 at 7.30am Beijing time, with the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks facing off against the AFC champion New England Patriots.

Unlike earlier rounds, bars usually charge a cover to watch this game as crowds can get intense. Here's our running list of who is planning to show the game so far:

Kerry Hotel Beijing will once again host the official NFL party for RMB 300 per person, RMB 188 for kids 12 and under, and RMB 2880 for tables of ten. They'll have a full American breakfast buffet, unlimited Budweiser beer and will be airing the US feed, which features the US halftime show and US commercials throughout. For reservations, call 8565 2333 or email fbreservations.hbkc@thekerryhotels.com.

Tim's Texas BBQ will have an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for RMB 60 until 9am and with RMB 25 Bloody Mary's and Screwdrivers to enjoy all day long, you'll be in a dandy mood watching the game on HD televisions with surround sound.

Home Plate Bar-B-Que will be showing the action on five flat screen TVs and their projection screen. Tickets (RMB 275 advance, RMB 300 at the door) include free flow drinks (PBR Tall Boys, Coors Gold, Qingdao, mixed drinks, and coffee), unlimited access to a breakfast buffet. Only 140 tickets are available, and there will be no entry without a ticket. Additionally: seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Paddy O'Shea's Paddy's has a strong tradition of showing sport of all kinds and will be open for the Super Bowl as well. They'll open at 5.30am with a special breakfast from Andy's Craft Sausages: scrambles eggs, sausages, ham, potatoes, red beans, cheese and French toast. Other food on offer will be cheeseburgers, veggie burgers, Irish breakfasts, chicken and veggie fajitas. Entrance (reservations only) is RMB 100, which gets you one breakfast or food item + one drink, or three drinks.

The Irish Volunteer will show the game with doors opening at 7am with plenty of food and drink specials.

Great Leap Brewing #12 Brewpub have 100 tickets at RMB 150 presale, or RMB 200 at the door, which will secure you primo seats to watch the full action, as well as a hearty breakfast to kickstart your day with two drinks included (beer, coffee, juice, cocktails).

CuJu Moroccan Bistrot & Rummery will be the coziest place to watch the game, with only 20 seats. The hutong sports bar/Moroccan restaurant/rummery will show the game for the select few that can get in, with great food and drink specials for one and all. According to the folks over at SmartBeijing, cover charge will be RMB 300.

Sugar Shack The Wudaokou crowd can enjoy the game at Sugar Shack, where they'll show the game from the NFL Game Pass feed with full English commentary and commercials. They'll be offering specials on draft beer as well as serving their regular menu items. No cover charge.

The Local will be showing the game to 120 lucky attendees for RMB 100 in advance, RMB 120 at the door. Ticket includes one breakfast (either a breakfast burrito w/ home fries or ricotta pancakes and bacon w/ home fries), plus a Bloody Mary or any draft beer (including Jing A and Slow Boat). For non-drinkers the ticket will include two soft drinks / brewed coffee / squeezed OJ instead.

Plan B Book early if you want to watch the game at Plan B, as they are limiting the amount of tickets they sell to ensure that everyone gets a good seat and plenty of grub. Speaking of grub, they'll be serving an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet with free-flow Tiger beer, Bloody Marys, and coffee (RMB 250) until the game ends. 

Q Mex Open their doors at 7am for those eager to grab either an American breakfast or burrito breakfast deal with your choice of coffee, orange Juice, or Carlsberg for RMB 88, or couple it with some of the harder stuff in the form of a bloody mary or frozen margarita for RMB 100. Free in but reservations recommended.

Union Bar & Grille Opens at 7am, with big screens surrounding the bar. The set breakfast menu includes sausages, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, buttermilk pancakes and maple syrup, wheat toast with butter and jam, and free coffee or tea refills. RMB 135, reservations recommended.

Other places that may show the game (you need to call and check) include The Den (Sanlitun) and Frank's Place (Lido), though none of them have announced plans to show the game yet. We will update this post as news comes in.

If you'd prefer to watch the games in the comfort of your own home, they will all be streamed live from various local internet sites. PPTV, LeTV, and Guangdong TV all carry the games, and NFL China will have gamecasts for live text updates.

Photo: Wikimedia