Super Bowl 2026: Start Time, How to Watch, & Halftime Show

What Time Does the Super Bowl Start?

The Super Bowl takes place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM Eastern Time. That translates to 3:30 PM. Pacific Time, making it an easy watch on both coasts.

The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. Even if you do not care much about the teams playing, the kickoff time is important because it sets the rhythm for the entire night, from halftime to the final whistle.

When Should You Start Watching the Super Bowl?

If you only tune in at kickoff, you are missing a big part of the Super Bowl experience. Pregame coverage usually begins hours earlier and includes celebrity interviews, red carpet-style arrivals, behind-the-scenes features, and musical performances.

Most major networks start their Super Bowl coverage between 1 PM and 2 PM Eastern Time, with wall-to-wall programming leading right up to kickoff. If you want to catch the full entertainment build-up, it is worth turning the TV on early.

What Channel Is the Super Bowl On & How Can You Stream It?

The Super Bowl will air live on NBC in the United States. Spanish-language coverage will be available on Telemundo and Universo.

If you prefer streaming, the game will be available through:

• Peacock Premium
• YouTube TV
• Hulu + Live TV
• NFL+

Availability may vary depending on your location and subscription, so it is smart to check your streaming service ahead of time to avoid last-minute stress.

Who Is Performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show?

The Super Bowl Halftime Show performer for 2026 is Bad Bunny.

Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show is not just a popularity play, it reflects how completely he has reshaped mainstream pop over the last decade. The Puerto Rican artist has spent years blurring the lines between reggaeton, Latin trap, pop, and rock while consistently releasing chart-topping albums like Un Verano Sin Ti and Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.

He has headlined Coachella, sold out stadium tours across multiple continents, recently won album of the year at the Grammys, and repeatedly broken streaming records without switching languages or watering down his sound.

What Time Does the Super Bowl Halftime Show Start?

The halftime show does not have a fixed start time because it depends on how long the first half of the game runs. That said, the halftime show usually begins around 8 PM Eastern Time, give or take a few minutes.

If you are watching specifically for the halftime show, tuning in between 7:45 and 8 PM Eastern is usually a safe bet. The performance typically lasts between 12 and 15 minutes, though the cultural conversation around it lasts much longer.

Who Is Performing During the Super Bowl Pregame Show?

The Super Bowl pregame performances are almost as anticipated as the halftime show, and the 2026 lineup is stacked.

• Green Day will perform during the opening ceremony, a fitting choice given their Bay Area roots
• Charlie Puth is set to sing the National Anthem
• Brandi Carlile will perform “America the Beautiful”
• Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

How Long Is the Super Bowl & What Time Does It End?

A typical Super Bowl broadcast runs about 3.5 to 4 hours. That means the game usually ends between 10 PM and 10:30 PM Eastern Time, depending on game flow, commercials, and overtime.

If you are planning a watch party or pacing snacks and food, that is a helpful window to keep in mind.

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