An unprecedented ring of steel has been thrown around the biggest show on Earth as New Orleans locks down in preparation for LIX.

Sunday night's game - between the and the - has always been a prime target for potential attacks, given the millions of eyes on it. But in a city just a few weeks removed from the -inspired truck attack that left 14 dead - and 20 years on from deadly Katrina - authorities in the Big Easy are taking unprecedented steps.

And if the biggest security operation ever seen at a Super Bowl wasn't already complicated enough, reported last-minute move to attend the game has made things even more difficult.

Already a magnet for controversy, his presence has thrown law enforcement into overdrive, forcing them to shut down additional streets and create a protected corridor for the president. Anne Kirkpatrick, Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, admitted that his attendance has "heightened security beyond our initial plans", but in reality, it is , not Trump, who will truly command the stadium's attention.

The Shake It Off hitmaker, the biggest pop star on the planet, is expected to overshadow Trump's presence as she arrives to support her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, in what could be the most-watched Super Bowl in history. Kansas City are aiming to lift their third consecutive Super Bowl trophy, with fans paying on average £8,543 a ticket on the secondary market to be at the game.

Cameras will follow the singer's every move, her mere presence turning the gridiron clash into a pop culture event of staggering proportions, bringing in a new kind of fan to the sport. "I never cared about American football before, but now I'm completely obsessed because of Taylor and Travis," Jessica Martin, 27, a lifelong Swift superfan from Las Vegas, told the .

"Seeing her at the games, supporting him, and just being so involved has made me actually learn the rules and get excited for the Super Bowl. I never thought I'd be planning my Sunday around an game, but here we are. Taylor has added a new dimension to the game and thousands more fans."

Last year, females accounted for a record 47.5 per cent of the total Super Bowl audience acknowledged due to the 'Taylor Swfit Affect'. Elsewhere, Trump, who thrives on being the centre of attention, is about to experience something rare - a moment in which he is completely upstaged.

With 155,000 fans, celebrities, and dignitaries - including Taylor Swift and President - set to descend on New Orleans, a security operation unlike anything seen before is in full force. Armoured SWAT vehicles patrol the streets, rooftop snipers scan the crowds, federal air marshals monitor transit hubs, and dozens of bomb-sniffing comb every inch of the Caesars Superdome.

The FBI, Secret Service, and Homeland Security have joined local police in a coordinated mission to prevent catastrophe, knowing that the stakes could not be higher.

With memories of the New Year's terrorist attack still fresh and lawsuits over security lapses now dragging through the courts, the city is determined not to be caught off guard again.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell has assured the public: "We're going above and beyond what we've seen in the past when we've hosted. We know we're safer than we've ever been." But for many, words are not enough. Alarmingly, police have said that in accordance with state law, firearms, including permitless concealed carry guns, will be allowed on the city's famous Bourbon Street, where the terror attack was carried out.

Instead, the city's top cop, Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, has issued a meek warning to those who plan to bring a weapon. "Booze and firearms don't mix", she said, adding that officers will monitor for anyone" negligently carrying," such as having a gun tucked in a waistband instead of a holster. "People will be extremely unwise to bring a firearm into our hospitality areas," Kirkpatrick said. "Don't do it; there's no need for it, folks."

Security is at its highest level in Super Bowl history, with more than 2,000 law enforcement officers - the size of Derbyshire's constabulary - deployed across the city. The Superdome's owner, ASM Global, has contracted New York-based artificial intelligence firm Dataminr to monitor potential and emerging threats in real time.

The company will draw from more than one million sources of public data across 150 languages, from social media to dark web forums to traffic cameras, Dataminr Chief Security Officer Robert Crowley said.

The company will use generative AI to produce memos alerting Superdome officials of trending patterns, such as an influx of posts showing swelling crowds or public disturbances as they unfold. "It's stitching together all these little pieces of the puzzle to get a holistic, comprehensive view of what has just happened," Crowley said.

"The faster you know what is occurring, the quicker you can take better action." Every entry point to the city is under strict surveillance, with checkpoints at train stations, bus terminals, and even along highways leading into New Orleans.

Local businesses have been warned to remain vigilant, and extra security has been stationed at hotels, bars, and restaurants as city authorities brace for one of the largest gatherings in recent history.

New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune, who is leading federal coordination of security, said that four days before the event, no one has been allowed inside a cordoned-off area surrounding the Superdome without credentials. Bourbon Street - where ISIS-inspired Shamsud-Din Jabbar mowed down and killed 13 revellers, including Brit Edward Pettifer - is already shut down.

The Federal Aviation Administration has banned drones and restricted airspace up to 18,000 feet. Armed air marshals will patrol transportation hubs, scanning for anything that seems out of place.

But perhaps the most intense security effort is underway inside the Superdome itself - a massive operation involving bomb technicians, dozens of scanning devices, and over 100 bomb-sniffing dogs combing through every inch of the stadium, opening every door, checking under every seat, ensuring that nothing is left unchecked.

"They're going to go from top to bottom on that building to make sure it's clear and it's safe. They open every door, check under every seat," DeLaune said.

While the political drama plays out off the field, the real show will take place under the lights of the Superdome, where a night of NFL, music, and entertainment will once again captivate a global audience of more than 200 million people.

Hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar is set to electrify the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, known for his powerful lyricism and groundbreaking performances, will take the stage in what is expected to be a spectacle of high-energy rap, social commentary, and cultural celebration.

Lamar, whose hits include "HUMBLE.," "DNA.," and "Alright," is no stranger to historic performances, having previously appeared at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show alongside Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem.

Now, he returns as the sole headliner, promising a dynamic and politically charged performance. With millions watching worldwide, Lamar's set is expected to feature his biggest anthems and a message that resonates far beyond the game.

Yet beneath the excitement, there remains a lingering tension.

For New Orleans, this isn't just a sporting event.

It is a test of resilience, recovery, and its ability to stand strong in adversity. The city has endured more than most - Katrina's destruction, the scars of violence, the looming threat of another attack - but it is determined to show the that it can still host the greatest sporting event on Earth without fear.

The streets are buzzing, the bars are overflowing, and the city is alive with energy - but just beyond the revelry, thousands of eyes watch from rooftops, security perimeters remain locked down, and every move is being monitored.

Meanwhile, the security footprint will extend beyond the Super Bowl as officials prepare for Mardi Gras celebrations immediately following the game. Homeland Security has classified Mardi Gras as a high-risk event, ensuring maximum manpower and resources will remain in place in the coming weeks.

Officials know that one lapse could be catastrophic, and they are unwilling to take chances. As the Super Bowl kicks off and the world turns its attention to New Orleans, one question lingers - will this be a night of triumph or a night of chaos?

The city insists it is ready. The NFL insists it is prepared.