You’ve got the wings marinating. The guest list is a delicate balance of die-hard fans and people who are literally only there to see Bad Bunny. But none of that matters if you’re staring at a pre-game show for three hours while your seven-layer dip loses its structural integrity. Honestly, the most stressful part of February isn't the game itself—it's figuring out exactly what time is the super bowl kick off so you aren't the person texting the group chat "Is it starting yet?" while the coin toss is already happening.
Here is the deal. For Super Bowl LX, which is coming to us live from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, February 8, 2026, the official kickoff time is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET.
But wait. "Kickoff" is a bit of a loose term in the NFL world. If you tune in exactly at 6:30, you’re probably going to see the tail end of the National Anthem or a very dramatic montage narrated by a celebrity. If you want to see the actual foot hitting the ball, you’re looking at a window between 6:38 p.m. and 6:42 p.m. ET.
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The 2026 Kickoff Breakdown by Time Zone
It’s easy to get mixed up, especially since the game is being played on the West Coast this year. Because Santa Clara is in the Pacific Time Zone, the sun will actually be out when the game starts. It’s kinda weird watching the biggest game of the year in broad daylight if you’re used to that East Coast night-game vibe.
- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m.
If you happen to be watching from London, you’re looking at an 11:30 p.m. start, which basically means a Monday morning caffeine IV drip.
Why the Kickoff Time Never Really Changes
Have you noticed it's always the same? 6:30 p.m. ET is the "sweet spot" the NFL has perfected over decades. It’s late enough that the West Coast is off work and settled in, but early enough that the East Coast isn’t staying up until 2:00 a.m. (unless there’s overtime, in which case, God help your Monday morning).
NBC is handling the broadcast this year. They’ve got a massive day planned because they are also juggling the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. It’s a logistical nightmare for them, but a win for us. You can catch the game on NBC, or stream it on Peacock if you’ve ditched cable. Telemundo will have the Spanish-language broadcast, which, honestly, is often more energetic anyway.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
People think the "start time" means the game starts. It doesn't.
NBC will start their pre-game coverage as early as 1:00 p.m. ET. If you tune in then, you’re going to get five hours of retired quarterbacks sitting at a desk talking about "momentum." It’s a lot.
Here is a rough timeline of how the evening usually shakes out:
Around 6:00 p.m. ET, the "official" broadcast begins to transition into the stadium. By 6:15 p.m., we get the player introductions. Then comes the National Anthem—this year featuring Charlie Puth—and America the Beautiful. Usually, the coin toss happens around 6:25 p.m., and then we finally get to the actual what time is the super bowl kick off moment shortly after 6:30.
The Halftime Factor
If you are only here for the halftime show—and with Bad Bunny headlining, who could blame you?—don't expect him to take the stage at a specific "clock time."
The halftime show depends entirely on how the first half goes. If there are a lot of penalties or incomplete passes, the clock stops constantly. Typically, the first half takes about 90 minutes. This puts the halftime show somewhere around 8:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. If you’re planning a "halftime snack" spread, that’s your target window.
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How to Watch Without a Headache
Don't wait until 6:25 p.m. to check your Wi-Fi or find the remote.
- Check your signal: If you’re using an antenna for NBC, do a channel scan on Saturday. Weather can be a pain in February.
- Update the app: If you're using Peacock or the NFL+ app, make sure it’s updated. Nothing kills the mood like a "Mandatory Update" bar at 6:29 p.m.
- Sync the audio: If you're listening to the radio broadcast on Westwood One while watching the TV, be prepared for a 5-10 second delay. It's annoying, but that's digital broadcasting for you.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure your Super Bowl Sunday is actually fun instead of a frantic search for the right channel, do these three things now:
- Confirm your local NBC affiliate: Make sure your provider (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live, or cable) hasn't had a recent contract dispute that dropped the channel. It happens more than you'd think.
- Set a "Soft Start" Alarm: Set an alarm for 6:00 p.m. ET. This gives you 30 minutes to troubleshoot any tech issues, get the food out, and find your lucky jersey before the real action starts.
- Check your bandwidth: if you are streaming in 4K, ensure no one else in the house is downloading a massive gaming update at the same time. You’ll need at least 25 Mbps of consistent speed for a smooth 4K feed.