Whether you’re a Green Bay Packers fan, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan or simply enjoy funny commercials, Super Bowl Sunday should prove exciting for millions of Americans. Here we look at some of the fun and surprising statistics behind Super Bowl XLV.

Last year, Super Bowl XLIV was the most watched Super Bowl in the history of the event, and Super Bowl XLV this Sunday is projected to draw an even bigger audience, with chips and chicken wings at the ready.

Here’s a look at some past and upcoming Super Bowl figures.

171 Million
Estimated number of people who will watch the game this year, up from 168 million in 2010
Source: Retail Advertising and Marketing Association’s 2011 Super Bowl Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey

61.2 Million
Number of people who plan to attend a Super Bowl party this year, up from 58.8 million last year
Source: Ibid

34.9 Million
Number of people who plan to throw a Super Bowl party this year, up from 31.6 million last year
Source: Ibid

$10.1 Billion
Total amount of projected Super Bowl-related spending this year, up from $8.9 billion in 2009
Source: Ibid

$59.33
Amount the average viewer is expected to spend on food, apparel, merchandise and other Super Bowl-related purchases this year, up from $52.63 last year
Source: Ibid

7.3%
Percentage of sports fans who will buy team apparel or accessories for the game
Source: Ibid

2%
Percentage of viewers who will buy furniture or a new entertainment center for the game
Source: Ibid

WHY WE WATCH

47%
Percentage of viewers who turn in to the Super Bowl primarily for the game itself
Source: Ibid

25.8%
Percentage of viewers who watch the Super Bowl mainly for the TV commercials
Source: Ibid

19.5%
Percentage of viewers who see the game primarily as an opportunity for gathering with friends
Source: Ibid

7.7%
Percentage of viewers who say the half-time show is the most important part of the viewing experience
Source: Ibid

ADVERTISING BONANZA

74.9%
Percentage of viewers who consider Super Bowl commercials to be entertainment
Source: Ibid

17.4%
Percentage of consumers who say the commercials make them aware of the advertisers’ brands
Source: Ibid

7.7%
Percentage of consumers who say the commercials influence them to buy products
Source: Ibid

$3 Million
Approximate cost of a 30-second ad during Super Bowl XLV, up from last year’s $2.97 million
Source: Forbes.com

42 Minutes
Total amount of ad time during the Super Bowl this year
Source: Ibid

17%
Percentage of consumers who say advertisers should save the money they spend on commercials and pass along the savings to shoppers
Source: 2011 Super Bowl Consumer Actions and Intentions Survey

9.5%
Percentage of viewers who say the commercials make the Super Bowl last too long
Source: Ibid

THE GAME

$13.8 Million
Total 2011 salary for the Green Bay Packers’ starting offensive line
Source: CBS MoneyWatch.com

1,560 Lbs.
Total weight of the Packers’ starting offensive line
Source: Ibid

$552.72
Price per ounce of the Packers’ starting offensive line
Source: Ibid

$1,348
Price per ounce of gold as of 11:00 a.m. EST, Friday, Feb. 4
Source: Gold Price News

66.7%
Percentage of Super Bowls that have been won by the team with the stronger defense
Source: The New York Times’ Fifth Down blog

1
Ranking of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense as measured by points against during the regular season
Source: Ibid

$50,000
Estimated value of the sterling silver Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded each year to the winning Super Bowl team
Source: CBS MoneyWatch.com

216
Number of official game balls manufactured in a 24-hour period, beginning Jan. 23, at the Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada, Ohio
Source: Wilson Sporting Goods

THE HOMETOWNS

61st
Pittsburgh, Pa.’s ranking on the list of the nation’s most populous cities, with a population of 311,647 as of July 2009
Source: U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates 2009

268th
Green Bay, Wis.’s ranking on the list of the nation’s most populous cities, with a population of 101,412 as of July 2009
Source: Ibid

2.63 Billion Lbs.
Volume of cheese produced in the state of Wisconsin in 2009
Source: Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

24.9%
Percentage of cheddar in Wisconsin’s 2009 total cheese production
Source: Ibid

$202 Million
Expected total spending by tourists, media and visiting businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which is hosting the Super Bowl this year, higher than the previous record of $195 million spent at the 2007 Super Bowl in South Florida
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers

Regardless of your team affiliation, Super Bowl XLV is sure to be one of the nation’s most entertaining sporting events this year, so take the opportunity to go to a party, see some friends and eat some cheese. Have a great weekend and enjoy the game, folks.