If you’re sitting on your couch right now waiting for the second half to start, you’ve probably realized that halftime in the NFL Divisional Round is a bit of a wildcard. It isn't like the Super Bowl. There isn't a year-long marketing campaign or a 15-minute cinematic masterpiece involving hundreds of backup dancers. Honestly, it’s usually a bit more "local flavor" and a lot less Bad Bunny—though we are definitely getting him in a few weeks for the big game in Santa Clara.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. We have two massive games on the slate: the Houston Texans at the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams at the Chicago Bears.
If you are looking for a massive, televised concert during the break of these games, you might want to manage those expectations. Most of the time, the networks (ESPN/ABC for the early game and NBC for the nightcap) use that 12-to-15-minute window to show us highlights of what we just watched, or to let Rex Ryan and the crew argue about quarterback ratings. But inside the stadiums? That's where the real show happens.
Who is performing at halftime today in Foxborough and Chicago?
For the 3:00 PM ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots haven't gone for a global pop star. That’s just not their vibe for the Divisional Round. Typically, the Patriots lean into high-energy local acts or specialized drumlines. For this specific playoff matchup against the Texans, expect the United States Navy Band or a similar patriotic tribute, which has become a staple for the Kraft family during high-stakes January home games.
Then we move to the Windy City. The Chicago Bears are hosting the Rams at Soldier Field at 6:30 PM ET.
Chicago is a different animal. When the Bears have a home playoff game, they like to celebrate the city’s musical heritage. While a formal "headliner" isn't always blasted across the TV broadcast, the stadium entertainment often features Chicago-based legends. You might see a shortened set from a local blues icon or a high-octane performance by the Chicago Bears Drumline, also known as "The Monsters of the Boom."
Sometimes, they’ll even surprise the crowd with a quick 3-song set from a local hip-hop artist or a rock band that’s currently touring the Midwest. However, because this is a Divisional game and not a Conference Championship or Super Bowl, the "performance" is often more about the atmosphere than a Billboard Top 100 setlist.
Why you don't always see the halftime show on TV
It’s kinda frustrating, right? You hear the announcer say, "Stay tuned for our halftime show," and then it’s just eight minutes of commercials for pickup trucks and insurance followed by three minutes of desk analysis.
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The reason is basically money.
The networks—NBC and ESPN in today's case—have to pay massive licensing fees to broadcast live music. Unless it’s a pre-arranged deal like the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, it’s actually cheaper and more profitable for them to sell that ad space. If you really want to see who is performing at halftime today, your best bet is usually the team’s official social media pages, like the Bears or Patriots' Instagram Stories, where they often post clips of the on-field festivities for the fans in the stands.
The Road to Bad Bunny: What’s coming next?
While today’s musical acts are more about the stadium experience, the NFL is already gearing up for the massive spectacles. Here is what we know about the upcoming schedule:
- The Conference Championships (Jan 25): These games usually step it up. Last year we saw Big & Rich and Lil Jon. Expect a mid-tier national act to be announced for these next week.
- Super Bowl LX (Feb 8): This is the one everyone is talking about. Bad Bunny is officially the headliner for the halftime show at Levi’s Stadium. It’s a huge deal because he’s the first solo Latin artist to lead the show.
What to do if you’re watching from home
Since you won't see much of the musical performance on the broadcast today, here is the "pro-move" for a better halftime experience.
Check the team’s Twitter (X) feed about five minutes after the second quarter ends. Teams like the Rams and Texans (if they were home) or today's hosts, the Patriots and Bears, almost always upload a "Live from the Field" snippet. It gives you that stadium energy without having to pay $400 for a ticket in 20-degree weather.
Basically, today is about the football. The Texans are trying to prove they belong in the elite tier, and the Bears are trying to defend Soldier Field against a high-flying Rams offense. The music is just the side dish.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Follow the Home Teams: Open the official Instagram or X accounts for the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears to see the stadium-only performances as they happen.
- Sync Your Audio: if you're bored with the TV analysis, tune into the local radio broadcasts (WBZ-FM for New England or WBBM for Chicago) via an app like TuneIn to get the local calls during the break.
- Prep for February: Mark your calendar for February 8th if you’re specifically looking for the "Big" halftime show, as that’s when the full-scale concert production kicks in.
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