It is one of the most popular events in the sporting calendar and by tradition gives bars one of their busiest nights of year.

But the coronavirus pandemic has called time out on tomorrow’s Super Bowl and American football fans are expected to watch the clash of the titans at home rather than packing out sports bars.

Landlords already hit by Covid-19 health restrictions said they did not expect to be busy on Sunday night.

The midnight curfew means that bars will have to close as the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs reaches its climax – likely to lead to fans watching the game from home.

Reed Young, the owner of The Docksider bar on Front Street, said that table reservations were down on previous years.

He added: “Normally, it’s a full house, but not this year.”

Mr Young added that Covid-19 restrictions meant capacity had already been cut from almost 200 people to around 90.“

But he said: “It’s not so much the limit on numbers allowed in, but the curfew – that’s what’s going to keep people away.

“The game starts at 7.30pm and on average lasts for three hours and 44 minutes.

“The midnight curfew means that we have to close at 11pm – which is probably when the game is about halfway through the fourth quarter.”

“People aren’t going to want to watch the game in a bar if they know they’re going to have to leave and head home just as the game’s getting to its climax.

“I think for that reason alone, people are going to be watching from home.”

Arthur Reilly, manager of The Robin Hood Pub on Pembroke’s Richmond Road, said that a relaxation on Covid-19 restrictions had helped bars – but not enough to bring fans out for the game.

Mr Reilly said: “We can now have tables of ten rather than just six, which is better for us.

“But I think a lot of people will just stay at home this year.

“You can have groups of 20 at home now, so I expect everyone will be having Super Bowl parties rather than going out to watch it.”

Mr Reed agreed – but said the event could boost takeout orders for spots such as Docksider and the Robin Hood.

He said: “Our kitchens will be busy.

“Even though people will be staying at home, they’re still going to want their chicken wings and nachos and party platters.

“It’s too early to say, but I expect we’ll start getting plenty of orders for takeout from tomorrow.”