Super Bowl 2026
David Chelly, January 16, 2026
The Super Bowl remains the most-watched sporting event in the United States. It wraps up the NFL season with a final between the AFC and NFC champions, but it's also a global cultural event, driven by its halftime show and an entire week of festivities around the game.
Format
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League. The game pits the two conference champions against each other and crowns the season's champion. The very first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, at the time under the name AFL-NFL World Championship Game, before becoming the global spectacle we know today.
Super Bowl date and location
Super Bowl LX is played on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Levi's Stadium, in Santa Clara, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (Eastern time), or 3:30 p.m. on the West Coast. The teams aren't known until the end of the playoffs, in late January.
Broadcast and streaming
In the United States, the game is broadcast on NBC, with a Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo and streaming on Peacock. For viewers outside the United States, broadcasters vary by country and rights, but official platforms and partner channels generally announce the details several weeks before the game.
Halftime show
The Super Bowl halftime show has become a central moment, both for music and for brand visibility. In 2026, the show is headlined by Bad Bunny, announced as the headliner of the Apple Music Halftime Show, with a production designed for a global audience.
Tickets and on-site experience
Getting a seat often involves managed packages, since the event draws an international audience and strong corporate demand. Official packages generally include access to the game, hospitality options, and experiences before and after the match. Super Bowl week also comes with public events, including NFL activities in the host city.
Bonuses and rewards
Players from both teams receive a game bonus set by the NFL collective bargaining agreement, with a gradual increase from one season to the next. For the 2026 edition, the reference amounts announced by the NFL are around $178,000 per player for the winning team and $103,000 for the runner-up team, not including contracts and individual bonuses. The winner lifts the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the ultimate symbol of the season.
Record and dynasties
Super Bowl history is marked by a few dominant franchises and periods of dynasty. The Steelers and the Patriots are among the most decorated teams, while other franchises have built their legend through legendary finals, often decided by a detail in the final quarter.
See also
Official Super Bowl website (NFL)