You've probably spent the last few weeks arguing about whether the Chiefs can actually pull off a three-peat or if the Eagles’ defense is finally back to its 2022 form. But honestly, none of that matters if you’re still hovering over the remote at 6:45 PM wondering why the ball is already in the air.
Getting the superbowl 2025 start time right is the difference between seeing the opening kickoff and catching the tail end of a holding penalty while you're still trying to get the wings out of the air fryer.
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The official word? Sunday, February 9, 2025. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 PM ET.
But "start time" is a loose term in the NFL world. If you tune in at exactly 6:30, you aren't seeing football. You’re seeing a coin toss, some very expensive pyrotechnics, and maybe a few emotional close-ups of quarterbacks staring into the distance.
The actual kickoff vs. the broadcast start
Basically, the "start time" everyone cites is when the broadcast goes live for the game portion. If you want the actual first snap, you’re looking at closer to 6:40 PM ET. That ten-minute window is the sacred time for the National Anthem and the coin toss.
Jon Batiste is handling the anthem this year. Since he’s a New Orleans local and a jazz virtuoso, don't expect a thirty-second rush job. He’s going to take his time. If you care about the pre-game tradition—or if you’ve got money on the length of the "brave" note—you need to be on your couch by 6:15 PM ET.
Here is how that breaks down across the country:
- Eastern Time: 6:30 PM
- Central Time: 5:30 PM
- Mountain Time: 4:30 PM
- Pacific Time: 3:30 PM
If you’re in the UK, it’s a late one. You’re looking at an 11:30 PM start on Sunday night, which pretty much guarantees a productive Monday morning is out of the window.
Where the game is actually happening
New Orleans. Specifically, the Caesars Superdome.
There was a bit of a scheduling nightmare a few years back because the NFL expanded the season to 17 games. That pushed the Super Bowl right into the middle of Mardi Gras. The league had to swap things around, moving the 2024 game to Vegas and giving 2025 to the Big Easy once the dates cleared the parade calendar.
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It’s the eleventh time New Orleans has hosted. They know how to do this. The stadium is basically a cathedral for football, and since it’s an indoor venue, we don’t have to worry about the "Ice Bowl" scenarios or rain-slicked turf ruining the speed of the Eagles’ wideouts.
Kendrick Lamar and the halftime timeline
The halftime show is its own beast. Because this isn't a regular-season game, halftime isn't just 12 minutes of guys eating oranges and looking at tablets. It’s a full-scale concert production.
Kendrick Lamar is the headliner. SZA is joining him.
Given the pace of the first half, you can expect Kendrick to take the stage around 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM ET. If the game is a defensive slog with constant clock stoppages, it might push later. If it’s a shootout with no incomplete passes, it could be earlier.
Honestly, the choice of Kendrick has caused a bit of a stir in the rap world. A lot of people thought Lil Wayne should have gotten the nod since the game is in his hometown. It’s a whole thing. But regardless of the politics, Kendrick is known for high-concept, theatrical performances. This won't be a "stand-and-sing" kind of show.
How to watch without a cable bill
Fox has the rights this year. If you have an old-school antenna, you’re golden. Just plug it in and scan for your local Fox affiliate.
If you’re a cord-cutter, you have options, but they vary in price and lag time.
- Tubi: This is the big surprise. Fox is streaming the game for free on Tubi. No subscription required, which is a massive win for anyone tired of "free trials" that require a credit card.
- Fubo/YouTube TV/Hulu Live: All of these will have the Fox broadcast. If you want the game in 4K, YouTube TV is usually the most stable, but you typically have to pay for the 4K add-on.
- NFL+: You can watch on your phone or tablet for a few bucks, but you can’t "cast" it to your TV. It’s a "stuck in an airport" solution, not a "party in the basement" solution.
What usually goes wrong with the schedule
The biggest misconception is that the game ends by 9:30 PM. It never does.
A standard NFL game takes about three hours. The Super Bowl? Think closer to four. Between the extended halftime show and the $7 million commercials that the networks want to make sure everyone sees, you shouldn’t expect the final whistle before 10:15 PM ET.
If the game goes into overtime—like the Chiefs and Niners did last year—you’re looking at an 11:00 PM finish. Pace yourself with the buffalo chicken dip. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Making the most of the day
If you're hosting, the "pre-game" coverage on Fox actually starts as early as 1:00 PM ET. It’s mostly fluff—interviews with players’ moms and deep dives into the history of New Orleans food—but it sets the vibe.
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Next Steps for Your Super Bowl Sunday:
- Check your tech by 5:00 PM ET: Don't wait until 6:29 to realize your streaming app needs a 2GB update or your antenna is struggling with a signal.
- Download the Tubi app now: Even if you plan on using cable, have a backup ready. Streaming services have been known to crash during the Super Bowl under the sheer weight of 120 million people watching at once.
- Sync your social media: If you're watching on a stream, you're likely 30-45 seconds behind the "live" broadcast. Turn off your text notifications if you don't want your brother-in-law spoiling a touchdown before you see it.