You've finally got the guest list sorted, the buffalo chicken dip is a lock, and the wings are marinating. But then it hits you—the one question that actually matters when you’re trying to coordinate a dozen people and a mountain of snacks. What time is Super Bowl kickoff, anyway? Honestly, nobody wants to be that person still preheating the oven while the national anthem is playing.
For the 2026 season, the NFL is heading back to the West Coast. Specifically, we’re looking at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Because the game is being played in the Pacific Time Zone, the timing feels a bit different depending on where you're sitting on the couch.
The Official Kickoff: What Time Is Super Bowl LX?
The game is officially set for Sunday, February 8, 2026. If you are looking for the exact moment the toe meets the leather, the NFL has settled into a very predictable rhythm over the last decade.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET.
Now, if you aren't on the East Coast, your clock is going to look a little different. Since the game is in California, the local fans will be seeing a mid-afternoon start. Here is how that breaks down across the country:
- Pacific Time: 3:30 PM
- Mountain Time: 4:30 PM
- Central Time: 5:30 PM
- Eastern Time: 6:30 PM
If you're tuning in from across the pond in the UK, you’re looking at an 11:30 PM GMT start. Better brew some coffee.
Where to Watch the 60th Edition
NBC has the honors this year. This is part of the league’s big rotation between the major networks. Because NBC also has the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina happening right around the same time, they are basically turning February into a massive sports marathon.
You can catch the broadcast on your local NBC station, but if you’ve cut the cord, Peacock is the primary streaming home. I’ve found that Peacock usually handles the massive traffic well, but it never hurts to log in about 20 minutes early just to make sure your app doesn't decide to run a mandatory update right at kickoff.
Spanish-language coverage will be over on Telemundo. If you’re a real "football everywhere" kind of person, the NFL+ app will have it on mobile devices, though keep in mind those usually don't let you cast to a big TV.
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The Broadcast Crew
Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth are expected to be the voices in the booth. It’s a familiar pair. Love him or hate him, Collinsworth’s "PFF-informed" insights usually add a layer of depth that's better than your average Sunday afternoon broadcast. Melissa Stark and Kaylee Hartung will likely be handling the sideline duties, keeping everyone updated on the inevitable high-profile injuries or turf issues.
The Halftime Show: Enter Bad Bunny
The NFL didn't play around with the entertainment this year. Bad Bunny is headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. This is kind of a massive deal. We are talking about one of the most-streamed artists on the planet taking over the stage in the middle of a football field.
Usually, the halftime show starts about 90 to 100 minutes after kickoff. If the game starts at 6:30 PM ET, you can expect the Puerto Rican superstar to take the stage somewhere around 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM ET.
The production is reportedly leaning heavily into Bay Area culture, though the NFL remains famously tight-lipped about guest appearances. Given Bad Bunny’s track record, don't be surprised if some massive Latin or reggaeton icons pop up for a three-minute cameo.
Pre-Game and The "Real" Timeline
If you care about the National Anthem or the coin toss, you need to be in front of the TV well before 6:30 PM. Charlie Puth is slated for the anthem this year. That usually happens around 6:20 PM ET.
NBC’s actual coverage starts much earlier. They’ll likely begin their "Super Bowl Sunday" programming around 1:00 PM ET. It’s mostly fluff—interviews with players’ moms, deep dives into the host city’s food scene, and about four thousand car commercials.
- 7:00 AM ET: NFL Network starts their 24/7 "GameDay" coverage.
- 1:00 PM ET: NBC’s official pre-game show begins.
- 6:00 PM ET: The "Pre-game" festivities (player intros, flyovers).
- 6:30 PM ET: The actual game begins.
- 8:00 PM ET: Halftime show (approximate).
- 10:00 PM ET: Trophy presentation (assuming no overtime).
Why the Venue Matters
Levi’s Stadium is no stranger to this. They hosted Super Bowl 50 back in 2016. The thing about Santa Clara is the "Sun Bowl" effect. Because of the 3:30 PM local start, the first half of the game often features some pretty harsh shadows and bright sunlight on the field.
It actually affects how the quarterbacks see the secondary. We’ve seen games where the "sunny side" of the field becomes a literal blind spot. By the time Bad Bunny starts his set, the sun will be down, and the stadium lights will take over, which is why the second half always feels like a completely different game aesthetically.
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Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to host or attend, don't just wing it.
First, verify your streaming setup now. If you're relying on Peacock or a service like YouTube TV, make sure your subscription is active and the app is updated on your smart TV or Roku.
Second, plan your food for 5:30 PM ET. Even though kickoff is 6:30, people start hovering around the dip the second the pre-game interviews start. Having the "heavy" food ready an hour before kickoff ensures you aren't stuck in the kitchen during the first quarter.
Finally, if you're a bettor or just playing a friendly squares game, get your entries in by 6:00 PM ET. Once the coin is tossed, the window closes.
Super Bowl LX is shaping up to be a massive cultural collision of tech, music, and elite football. Whether you're there for the commercials, Bad Bunny, or the actual X's and O's, knowing the clock is the first step to not missing the most talked-about moments of the year.