If you’re scrambling to figure out what time is Super Bowl 59, you aren't alone. Every year, the NFL’s championship game feels like a moving target, even though the league tries to keep things consistent. Honestly, the timing is everything. You don’t want to be the person still heating up the buffalo chicken dip when the opening kickoff actually happens at the Caesars Superdome.
New Orleans is playing host this year. It's their 11th time, which ties a record. The Big Easy knows how to throw a party, but the NFL runs a tight ship when it comes to the clock.
The Official Kickoff Time for Super Bowl 59
Basically, the game is scheduled for Sunday, February 9, 2025. If you are looking for the exact moment the ball hits the air, you should aim for 6:30 p.m. ET. That’s the "official" start time, but if you’ve watched a Super Bowl before, you know the actual kickoff usually drags a few minutes past that due to the national anthem and coin toss.
Here is how that breaks down across the U.S. time zones:
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- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m. (This is the local time in New Orleans!)
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m.
If you’re watching from Hawaii, you’re looking at a 1:30 p.m. start. It's basically a lunch event for you. For the folks in Alaska, it's 2:30 p.m.
Where to Watch and Who’s on the Mic
Fox has the broadcast rights for this one. That means we get the lead team of Kevin Burkhardt and—for the first time in a Super Bowl booth—Tom Brady. It’s going to be weird not seeing him in a jersey, right? He signed that massive 10-year deal with Fox, and this is the biggest test of his broadcasting career so far.
Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will be handling the sidelines. If you prefer a Spanish broadcast, you can catch the game on Fox Deportes or Telemundo. For the cord-cutters, the game will be streaming on Tubi for free, which is a pretty huge win if you don't want to mess with a cable subscription. You can also find it on the NFL+ app or Fubo.
The Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar Takes the Stage
One of the biggest questions people ask (besides what time is Super Bowl 59) is when Kendrick Lamar is actually going to perform.
The halftime show usually starts about 90 minutes to two hours after kickoff. So, you’re looking at roughly 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. Since it's Kendrick, expect a high-energy set. There’s been a ton of chatter about whether he’ll bring out guests or keep it solo. SZA is heavily rumored to make an appearance, especially since they have that hit "All the Stars" together.
Why is it in New Orleans This Year?
Interestingly, New Orleans was supposed to host the Super Bowl last year. But the NFL expanded the season to 17 games, which pushed the Super Bowl back a week. That created a massive conflict with Mardi Gras.
Can you imagine trying to host the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras at the same time? The city would literally explode. So, the NFL moved the 2024 game to Las Vegas and gave the 2025 slot to New Orleans. It worked out for everyone. The Caesars Superdome just underwent a $550 million renovation, so the "Old Lady" of the NFL is looking pretty fresh for the millions of people tuning in.
Common Misconceptions About the Start Time
A lot of people think the "pre-game" is the game. Fox is going to start their coverage at 1:00 p.m. ET. That is five and a half hours of talking heads, analysis, and human interest stories before a single snap is played. Don't let the TV guide fool you into thinking the game starts in the early afternoon.
Also, don't expect the game to be over quickly. The average Super Bowl lasts about 3 hours and 40 minutes. If everything goes according to plan, the trophy presentation should happen around 10:15 p.m. ET. If we get overtime like we did with the Chiefs and Niners recently? Well, clear your schedule for Monday morning.
Planning Your Super Bowl Sunday
To make sure you don't miss anything, here is a practical timeline for your Sunday:
- 1:00 PM ET: Pre-game coverage begins on Fox. Good for background noise while you prep food.
- 6:00 PM ET: This is when you should actually be on the couch. The "performances" (National Anthem, etc.) start around here. Jon Batiste is doing the anthem this year, and he's a New Orleans legend, so it’ll be worth watching.
- 6:30 PM ET: Kickoff. The real reason we're all here.
- 8:15 PM ET (approx): Kendrick Lamar halftime show. This is when the non-football fans in the room will suddenly start paying attention.
- 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM ET: Game ends, unless there is a tie.
If you’re hosting a party, tell people the "start time" is 5:30 p.m. ET. That gives everyone an hour to settle in, grab a plate, and argue about whether Tom Brady is actually good at talking before the game starts.
Make sure your streaming apps are updated a day before. There’s nothing worse than the "Updating App" spinning wheel of death at 6:29 p.m. Check your internet connection, make sure the wings are timed right, and enjoy the madness that is the NFL's biggest night.