Every year, more than a hundred million people tune in to watch the Super Bowl half-time show - and event that is one of the biggest in the US musical calendar, despite taking place on the field.
This weekend, Rihanna is set to make her hugely-anticipated return to stage - much to the excitement of her loyal fans as the headliner for the halftime show at the Super Bowl 2023. The multi award-winning Barbadian confirmed the performance by sharing a photo of her hand holding an American football on Instagram and Twitter on September 25, 2022.
In a statement, the NFL confirmed the popstar and businesswoman will perform at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, in February, the Manchester Evening News previously reported.
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Weeks later, Rihanna returned to the charts with a single for Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Lift Me Up is Rihanna's first new song in six years.
Throughout her successful career, Rihanna has travelled the world performing her Grammy award-winning hits and came to Manchester numerous times. Many will remember seeing Rihanna in concert, whereas others will have spotted the star out and about in the city.
As Rihanna is set to return to the stage for the Super Bowl Half-time show, we take a look back at a number of times she has visited the city. This isn't intended to be comprehensive, but if you have more memories of Rihanna in Manchester, let us know in the comments section.
Of her many performances in Manchester, RiRi fans will remember the star performed at the MEN Arena for four nights as part of her Loud tour of the UK in 2011. Fans including Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen came in out of the rain to enjoy a set packed with her biggest hits - and brightest costumes.
On October 10, the MEN reported: ""The 23-year-old Barbadian bombshell opened the show with chart-topping single Only Girl (In the World). Rihanna, known for her risque song lyrics and stage outfits, entered the arena stage in a circular metal cage."
After the show, Rihanna tweeted: "MANCHESTER u ROCKED my world tonight! #LOUDtourUK #MEN1Of4." In 2013, the Grammy award-winning singer kept Manchester fans waiting for almost an hour and 15 minutes, but none of that mattered when she took to the stage.
On June 12 that year, an MEN review said: "She made up for her tardiness by shouting 'Manchester' a few times, praising our 'cute outfits' and telling us she couldn't wait to get here. And she was well worth the wait. From the start the crotch grabbing is constant and the language fruity but her singing is also very strong. And the songs are irresistible.
"The hits were split with interludes allowing for the saucy singer to change into one eye-popping outfit after another, with some captivating dance moves to match." The review concluded: "Not only is Rihanna a rockstar, and a showbiz veteran at the tender age of 25, but a legend in her own right."
Fast-forward to 2016, hardcore Rihanna fans queued all day to see their idol in Emirates Old Trafford Stadium for her Anti World Tour in the wet weather.
Much to the fans' surprise, Rihanna sent twenty boxes of pizza and some towels to people waiting outside the stadium. Some of the boxes were also signed by the musician.
At the time, Daniel Reading, aged 24, was in the queue and was one of the lucky fans to receive a signed pizza box from the queen of pop. He said: "We couldn't believe it. The pizza was only sent to our side of the queue. It was sent with a message from Rihanna, apologising for the weather."
Even if you've never had a ticket to a Rihanna gig, it's likely you may have heard the singer perform whilst in the city. On that same tour in June 2016, some claimed to hear the show from "ten miles away."
In the recording, taken around 10pm, you can hear the music blasting away. Some neighbours reported the music to be so loud it "shook windows."
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But it wasn't all bad, as fans went into a complete frenzy when she brought Drake on stage with her. Drake joined RiRi for two songs - One Dance and Work - and it was a moment almost too much to take in for the 25,000-strong crowd.
Years prior, Rihanna and Drake with spotted around Manchester, following Drake's gig at the Phones 4u Arena. Drake was performing his first of a double-header at the Phones 4 u Arena, with both gigs sold out and Rihanna was spotted watching from the sound desk during the Canadian rapper's set, before heading to the official after-party at Entourage in the Printworks.
Will you be watching Rihanna's half time Super Bowl performance? Let us know in the comments section below.
The pair and their friends later made their way to the All Star Lanes, booking out the whole venue for their entourage and crew. It was the second time in less than a year that Rihanna has gone late-night bowling, as she was pictured leaving the venue in the early hours in June 2013, when she was in town for her two solo gigs.
The following day, the stars stopped off to shoot hoops at the Sugden Sports Centre. The sports centre, which normally closed at 10.30pm on a weeknight, is understood to have opened especially for them.
When it comes to food, Rihanna has also fan of one venue in particular. Over the years, she has been spotted enjoying a meal with friends at San Carlo on King Street.
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In 2013, Rihanna didn't waste any time when she arrived in Manchester – heading straight for a night out at the celeb haunt and Italian restaurant.
She booked the venue's new private dining room at the back of the restaurant, but her arrival certainly caused a stir among other diners. A huge group of fans assembled outside as word of her appearance spread – many taking photos as she left the restaurant in the early hours of this morning.
Fans are highly-anticipating the star's return to the stage at this weekend's Super Bowl. And many from the city will be thinking back the early day of Rihanna's career and even her visits to Manchester like the ones above.
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