When people ask who is performing at the Super Bowl, they are usually referring to the headline act of the Halftime Show, though national anthem singers, pregame ceremonies, and occasional stage appearances can also be part of the broadcast. This guide explains how to identify confirmed performers, how the selection process works, and what typically happens on game day, using verifiable information from the leagues, teams, and official announcements. You will find practical ways to check dates, lineups, and set lengths before the event and understand which appearances are standard or subject to change.
How the Super Bowl Halftime Performer Is Chosen
The Super Bowl Halftime Show is planned months in advance by the NFL in coordination with the league’s broadcast and marketing teams, often with the help of prominent booking agencies and music-industry veterans. Performers are selected based on a mix of legacy, current chart success, cross-demographic appeal, and narrative fit, with a focus on minimizing controversy while maximizing live-viewing impact. The process typically involves performance rights organizations, broadcast standards review, and coordination with sponsors, ensuring adherence to timing, technical, and regulatory requirements.
Key Steps in the Selection Timeline
- Early planning (nine to twelve months before the game): League and broadcast team outline creative direction and budget for the show.
- Artist outreach and negotiations (six to nine months before): Initial approaches, fee agreements, and rider reviews take place.
- Rehearsal and staging design (three to five months before): Production logistics, set complexity, and broadcast shots are finalized.
- Public announcement (three to five months before): The NFL typically confirms the headliner via press release, social channels, and on-air segments.
- Technical and compliance review (one to two months before): Sound, lighting, and broadcast-compliance checks are completed.
Because each Super Bowl has distinct technical constraints and sponsor priorities, the exact creative process can vary year to year, but the structure above captures the most common pathway from rumor to confirmed lineup.
Confirmed Halftime Headliners: Recent History and Patterns
Over the last decade, the league has alternated between legacy pop and rock icons, contemporary chart-toppers, and R&B superstars, often choosing acts that can deliver high-energy, broadly appealing sets suitable for a live, family-friendly audience. The table below lists only publicly confirmed headliners with verifiable broadcast and sponsor records.
| Event Date | Halftime Performer | Notable Context |
|---|---|---|
| February 11, 2024 (LVIII) | Usher | Featured pregame honors and a 12–14 minute set. |
| February 12, 2023 (LVII) | Rihanna | First woman of Barbadian descent to headline; featured national honors. |
| February 13, 2022 (LVI) | 50 Cent | Primers included pregame and halftime; production aligned with broadcast themes. |
| February 14, 2021 (LV) | The Weeknd | Show integrated league tributes and cinematic visuals within a 14-minute set. |
| February 2, 2020 (LIV) | Jennifer Lopez and Shakira (co-headliners) | Joint performance marking a shift toward dual-act halftime formats. |
How to Find Out Who Is Performing at an Upcoming Super Bowl
To reliably learn who is performing at the Super Bowl for a specific year, start with the most authoritative sources and layer in reporter announcements as they are confirmed.
Reliable Sources in Order of Timeliness
- NFL.com and the official team sites: Posts from the league account and broadcast partners usually coincide with the formal announcement.
- Official artist and label social channels: Verified artist accounts often repost the announcement before other outlets publish.
- Major entertainment trade outlets (e.g, Variety, Billboard): They typically cite league or management confirmations.
- Reputable general news organizations: Only after the above sources have reported the news.
Use a simple search query like “Super Bowl Halftime headliner 2025” once the season is active, and look for the official date on the NFL calendar page. Expect the league to disclose the performer at least three months before kickoff, with formal press materials and sponsor integrations following shortly after.
National Anthem and Pregame Rituals
The performer on the broadcast may not be the only musician featured. The national anthem is often handled by a local or nationally recognized artist selected through a partnership with the U.S. military and community organizations, while the coin toss and other ceremonies may include additional singers or speakers tied to that year’s host city. These appearances are usually confirmed separately from the Halftime headliner and are more likely to change due to logistical or diplomatic factors.
What to Expect from the Performance Itself
Halftime sets typically run between 12 and 16 minutes of music, not including soundchecks, tributes, or scripted segments. Artists usually plan high-impact openings, sing a mix of catalog and one or two current singles, and close with a signature anthem that suits a large-scale televised moment. Choreography, lighting cues, and camera placements are designed for broadcast rather than live-audience impact, which shapes staging choices and song selection.
Planning to Watch Live or Attend in Person
If you are attending the game, arrive early, check the event app for last-minute performer notes, and expect security and broadcast areas to be restricted. For viewers at home, tune in slightly before the official start time to catch pregame events, and note that streaming platforms may offer alternate feeds or commentary, though the Halftime Show remains centralized on the main broadcast.