It's early Monday morning, just after midnight.
Frankfurt city center is deserted, most bars have long since closed.
Only a few die-hard fans venture out to attend the world's biggest and most expensive sporting event: the Super Bowl.
The final of the American National Football League (NFL) is being played in “Waxy's” near the stock exchange, with English commentary in proper style.
The Irish Pub is already full half an hour before kick-off.
Almost 100 guests will spend the whole night here.
The fact that only vaccinated and recovered football fans are allowed in does not dampen the enthusiasm.
Markus Zimmermann is one of the few who came to watch the final in an NFL shirt.
The number 12 of Tom Brady, the recently retired star quarterback of last year's champion Tampa Bay, is emblazoned on his back.
"I actually only wear it to the Super Bowl," explains Zimmermann with a smile.
He calls the Detroit Lions his favorite team: "But they always lose, so I canceled my NFL subscription right at the start of the season." Over beer and chicken wings, he and two friends fired the Super Bowl hosts, the Los Angeles Rams, instead. to: "It's just better for the atmosphere than sitting at home."
Goosebumps spread as the American national anthem played before the game started.
Priest Erast smashes them along with fervor.
For him it is an "extraordinary holiday".
After all, a piece of home is coming back for him, who has lived on the Main for 15 years.
Erast is from the state of Ohio, so it's clear who his sympathies are with.
"Let's go, let's go, let's go," he shouts loudly as the Cincinnati Bengals launch their first attack.
Christian Niehaus from Dortmund also believes the supposed outsider is capable of a big surprise.
In a group bet, five of his eight buddies have settled on Los Angeles.
Despite the 10:13 break deficit, Niehaus is confident of victory.
With Rams star Odell Beckham Jr. out with a knee injury, it's clear to him that "the Bengals are rocking this thing now."
The big topic of conversation at the tables is the forthcoming guest appearance of the NFL in Germany.
But only very few people really think they have a chance of being there live in the Frankfurt Waldstadion in the season after next.
Some are deterred by the expected high entrance fees, others fear the enormous rush.
"If we got tickets, we would take them, no matter which teams come," say Alex Telen and Jennifer Braisch.
For the two die-hard fans, watching live football on Sundays is as obligatory as going to church is for others.
The couple have already tried to get tickets for the NFL's London Game - to no avail.
"Now all fans from Germany and neighboring countries will come to Frankfurt," predicts Braisch.
In fact, within just a few days, 215,000 fans had already applied for the NFL game in Munich next season.
Telen looks back at the screen.
As exciting as the final may be, "it's all about the halftime show now."