You're ready. The wings are ordered, the beer is chilling, and you've probably spent way too much time debating if a five-layer dip is enough for ten people. But then it hits you: what time do the super bowl start this year? It’s the same panic every single February. You don't want to tune in and see the trophy presentation because you got the time zones mixed up.
Honestly, the NFL keeps things pretty consistent, but when you're dealing with a West Coast stadium like Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, things can feel a bit wonky.
The Official Kickoff Time for Super Bowl LX
Let’s get the big number out of the way first. Super Bowl LX is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 PM ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026. If you are on the West Coast, that means you are looking at a 3:30 PM PT start. For the folks in the middle of the country, set your clocks for 5:30 PM CT or 4:30 PM MT.
Kickoff is the actual moment the ball is booted into the air. However, if you've watched a single football game in your life, you know that "6:30 PM" is sorta a loose suggestion. Between the national anthem—this year performed by Charlie Puth—and the coin toss, the actual game play usually starts a few minutes after the official time.
Where to Watch and How to Stream
This year, the broadcast rights belong to NBC. It’s part of that big rotation they have with CBS and Fox. Because it’s an NBC year, you’ve got a few specific ways to catch the action.
- Cable/Satellite: Just find your local NBC affiliate.
- Spanish Language: Telemundo will be handling the Spanish broadcast.
- Streaming: This is the big one. Peacock is the primary streaming home for Super Bowl LX. Unlike some years where you need a fancy cable login to stream on a network app, Peacock will have the game live for its subscribers.
- Mobile: You can also use the NFL+ app, but keep in mind that's usually restricted to phones and tablets. Don't try to airplay that to your 80-inch TV five minutes before kickoff; it rarely ends well.
Interestingly, 2026 is a massive year for NBC because they are also broadcasting the Winter Olympics from Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. It’s a logistical mountain for the network. They are basically running the two biggest sporting events in the world at the same time. Expect a lot of "cross-promotion" (meaning: expect to see a lot of skiers while you're waiting for a holding penalty to be explained).
The Bad Bunny Halftime Show: What to Expect
The NFL officially announced that Bad Bunny will be headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. This is actually a pretty huge deal. While he showed up as a guest for Shakira and Jennifer Lopez back in 2020, this is his first time as the main event.
He's the first solo Latin male artist to headline, which says a lot about where the league is looking to grow its fan base.
The halftime show doesn't have a "set" start time because it depends on how the first half of the game goes. If there are a ton of incomplete passes and timeouts, the first half could stretch. Generally, you can expect the halftime show to start roughly 90 minutes to two hours after kickoff. If the game starts at 6:30 PM ET, Bad Bunny will likely take the stage somewhere around 8:15 PM or 8:30 PM ET.
Why Santa Clara? The Venue Details
Levi’s Stadium isn't exactly "new" anymore—it opened in 2014—but it’s still one of the most high-tech venues in the league. This is the second time the Super Bowl has been here (the first was Super Bowl 50).
It’s an open-air stadium, and while California weather is usually "fine," February in Northern California can be unpredictable. We aren't talking about a blizzard in New Jersey, but a chilly rain isn't out of the question.
One thing people often get wrong: they think the game is in San Francisco. It’s not. Santa Clara is about 40 miles south of San Fran. If you’re traveling there, don't book a hotel in the city and expect a quick stroll to the stadium. Traffic on the 101 during Super Bowl week is basically a parking lot.
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Navigating the Pre-Game Hype
The broadcast doesn't start at 6:30 PM. Not even close. NBC will likely start their "pre-game" coverage early in the afternoon—usually around 1:00 PM ET.
They'll have Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, and the rest of the crew breaking down the matchups. This year’s pre-game ceremony also features Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones, so if you’re a fan of the performances, you’ll want to tune in at least an hour before the actual kickoff.
Actionable Steps for Your Super Bowl Sunday
To make sure your viewing experience doesn't go sideways, here is a quick checklist of what you actually need to do before that 6:30 PM ET start time.
- Check your Peacock Subscription: If you’re streaming, log in the night before. Don't be the person trying to reset their password while the national anthem is playing.
- Update Your Apps: If you're watching on a Smart TV or a Roku/Fire Stick, ensure the NBC or Peacock app is updated.
- Sync Your Food: Aim to have the main spread ready by 6:00 PM ET. This gives everyone time to plate their food before the game starts.
- Local Antenna Check: If you’re using an over-the-air antenna for free NBC, do a channel scan on Saturday. Sometimes signals shift or interference crops up.
The Super Bowl is more than just a game; it’s a weird national holiday where we all agree to eat too much cheese and watch commercials. By knowing exactly what time the game starts, you can actually focus on the football—or the Bad Bunny performance—without the stress.