For many viewers out there with zero ties to either football team, the Super Bowl halftime show performance has become the main event itself. The entertainment, dancing and celebrity-filled show appears on millions of TV’s nationwide, making it the most watched musical event of the year. According to the NFL’s official site, over 110.5 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year’s Super Bowl Pepsi Halftime Show.

For a countdown to tonight’s Super Bowl XLVIII, you can visit the official Super Bowl website. As for the Super Bowl’s Pepsi Halftime Show, here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know for this year’s star-studded performance.

Who

This year’s halftime show headliner is pop sensation and Billboard’s 2013 Artist of the Year, Bruno Mars. The singer and Grammy award-winning artist has sold over 130 million singles worldwide, with hits like, “Grenade,” “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Just the Way You Are.” The 28 year old Hawaiian native discussed with Forbes his decision to perform at the Super Bowl, stating that it was “one of those things where I feel like it’s early on in my career, but … it’s definitely something on a bucket list. It’s the biggest stage ever. It’s something you’re not gonna say no to.”

Bruno Mars invited one of the most famous rock bands in history to accompany him on stage, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. NFL’s official site reports that the band, “singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer, Chad Smith, and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, has sold more than 60 million albums.” Forbes also reports that “…the California rockers are one of Mars’ major influences,” so it’s no surprise he asked them to join him this Super Bowl Sunday.

What

Bruno Mars will be joining the ranks of The Super Bowl halftime show alum and mega-stars, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Beyonce, Prince, Madonna and more. Some were surprised that Mars was chosen to be this year’s headliner, given that past performers had been “international superstars for many years before playing the Super Bowl,” as noted in Forbes.

Per usual, the performer won’t be paid for his appearance on the Super Bowl’s halftime show – but with millions of viewers watching from home, his immense exposure will make the show worth his efforts. Forbes reported that “He’ll be playing what amounts to a 12-minute commercial for himself, which should boost sales for concert tickets, albums and merchandise.”

When

The International Business Times is reporting that the halftime show should start around 8 p.m. ET. With more commercials than a typical NFL game, the Super Bowl’s halftime begins a bit later than other games. Last year, Beyonce didn’t begin her performance until about 8:10 p.m.

Check out Bruno Mars discussing his halftime performance (below), and get pumped up for tonight’s show!

Image via rap-up.com