Kelly Clarkson, backed by a choir of dozens of children, helped kick off Super Bowl XLV on Sunday evening with a soulful rendition of the National Anthem at a packed Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Immediately preceding her performance, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert stood side by side to sing "America the Beautiful" as players and the crowd sang along.

Just about an hour earlier, members of the New York Giants and New England Patriots took to the field for warm-up exercises, as they prepared for their first game in two weeks.

At half time, Madonna will perform with special guests Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.

On Friday, the streets of downtown Indianapolis a massive outdoor concert by band LMFAO, which drew thousands of fans. The event on Friday didn't go without incident however, with authorities reporting 13 minor injuries.