From behind the scenes to the center stage: Jay-Z headlines 2027 Super Bowl halftime
The 89-time Grammy nominee will perform his first halftime set at SoFi Stadium in February 2027.
By Luka Tanaka ·
Jay-Z will perform at the Super Bowl LXI halftime show, marking his first time as the headliner for the event. The announcement was made using a snippet from his track "Public Service Announcement." This selection ends a period where the rapper served as a behind-the-scenes power broker rather than the main act.
Roc Nation, which Jay-Z co-founded, has partnered with the NFL since 2019 to produce the halftime spectacle. The company holds major influence over the artist selection process. For the 2027 game, the decision-maker chose himself.
The performance will take place on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game concludes the 2026 NFL season. No special guests have been confirmed yet, though speculation has already named Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Eminem.
The halftime show has evolved significantly since its inception. For decades, the feature was often a marching band or a themed tribute. The 1988 show featured 88 grand pianos, the Rockettes, and Chubby Checker. The 1989 event, titled "Be Bop Bamboozled," utilized 3-D effects at the Orange Bowl. Carol Channing appeared twice during this era, as did the group Up With People.
Michael Jackson changed the format in 1993 at the Rose Bowl. His "Heal the World" performance featured 3,500 local children. Since then, the stage has hosted major pop and hip-hop acts. Recent headliners include Bad Bunny in 2026, Kendrick Lamar in 2025, and The Weeknd in 2021.
Last year, Bad Bunny headlined with Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. Lady Gaga performed her hit "Die With A Smile" with Bad Bunny, marking her third Super Bowl appearance and first as a halftime guest. Other recent performers include Alicia Keys in 2024 and Rihanna in 2023.
The 2022 show featured Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige. The 2016 performance included Coldplay, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars. The 2013 show was headlined by Beyoncé, while the 2012 event featured Madonna.
The NFL will announce further details regarding the production and lineup in the coming months. The 2027 halftime show will be the 61st in the series' history.
Source: CBS Sports
