You’d think a game this big would have a permanent spot on the calendar like Christmas or the Fourth of July. It doesn't. Honestly, trying to pin down the date of the Super Bowl every year feels like chasing a moving target because the NFL keeps tweaking the schedule. If you’re looking for the short answer for right now: The next Super Bowl, which is Super Bowl LX (60), is happening on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
It’s heading to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Basically, the home of the San Francisco 49ers.
But there’s a lot more to the timing than just a date on a Google Calendar. People always ask when is the Super Bowl as if it's just a game, but it's really an entire week of chaos that culminates in a four-hour broadcast where the actual football often feels like a secondary character to the commercials and the halftime show.
Why the date keeps shifting
For decades, the Super Bowl was a January staple. Then the 17-game regular season happened in 2021, and everything got pushed back. Now, the game firmly belongs to the second Sunday in February.
Check out the upcoming schedule for the next few years:
- Super Bowl LX: February 8, 2026 – Santa Clara, CA
- Super Bowl LXI: February 14, 2027 – Inglewood, CA (SoFi Stadium)
- Super Bowl LXII: February 13, 2028 – Atlanta, GA (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Interestingly, the 2025 game (Super Bowl LIX) just wrapped up on February 9th. The Philadelphia Eagles ended up taking down the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in New Orleans. It was a bit of a blowout, but people still watched in droves. 127.7 million people, to be exact. That set a massive record, proving that even when the game is lopsided, nobody actually turns the TV off.
The 6:30 PM ET rule
If you are planning a party, the "when" isn't just the day; it's the kickoff time. The NFL is incredibly consistent here. Kickoff is almost always right around 6:30 PM Eastern Time.
If you’re on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 3:30 PM start. That’s the "sweet spot" for advertisers. It's late enough for the East Coast to be settled in for dinner, but early enough that the game finishes before the Monday morning blues truly set in. For the 2026 game at Levi's Stadium, this means the sun will likely still be up when the ball is kicked, which always makes for some pretty cool cinematic shots of the Bay Area.
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Who is actually playing?
We're currently in the middle of the 2025-2026 playoffs. As of right now, the field is narrowing down. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks have been the heavy hitters this season. Seattle actually secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC behind a resurgence from Sam Darnold—yeah, you read 그게 right—and a dominant defense.
On the AFC side, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are trying to finally break through that "always the bridesmaid" curse. They’ve got a tough road through Denver, but the odds are shifting every week.
The Bad Bunny factor
One reason people are already searching for when is the Super Bowl for 2026 is the halftime show announcement. Bad Bunny is confirmed to headline. After Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking performance in 2025 (which drew 133.5 million viewers, actually outperforming the game itself), the pressure is on.
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Bad Bunny is a global juggernaut. Bringing him to the Bay Area is a clear move by the NFL to keep those international streaming numbers climbing. Speaking of streaming, the 2026 game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed live on Peacock. If you don't have cable, that’s your go-to.
What to do if you're going
If you are actually planning to attend Super Bowl LX, you need to know that "San Francisco" is a bit of a lie. Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara. That’s about 40 miles south of San Francisco.
- Book hotels in San Jose: It’s way closer than SF and much easier to navigate on game day.
- The "Experience" is separate: The NFL Super Bowl Experience (the fan fest with the trophies and games) will likely be at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco.
- Transit is key: Use the VTA light rail. Traffic in Santa Clara on a normal Tuesday is a nightmare; on Super Bowl Sunday, it's a parking lot.
The buildup starts officially on "Opening Night," which will be Monday, February 2, 2026. That’s when the players do the media circus and talk about how they're "just taking it one play at a time."
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Final takeaways for your calendar
Don't get caught off guard by the date change. While it used to be earlier in the year, the second Sunday in February is the new gold standard. For 2026, that is the 8th.
Keep an eye on the Divisional and Conference rounds happening over the next two weeks. Once the smoke clears on January 25th, we'll know exactly which two teams are heading to Northern California. If the Seahawks make it, expect the "12th Man" to turn Santa Clara into a home game. If it's a Bills-Seahawks matchup, you might want to buy your wings and chips early—supply chains usually take a hit that week.
Get your streaming apps updated and your guest list sorted. Whether you're in it for the tactical depth of a Mike Macdonald defense or just to see what Bad Bunny is wearing, the countdown to February 8th is officially on.