You’ve got the wings ordered, the dips are chilling in the fridge, and your living room is basically a shrine to the NFL. But then it hits you: what time is the super bowl actually supposed to start? Honestly, it happens every year. People scramble at the last minute because time zones are a mess and the pre-game coverage feels like it lasts for a decade.
If you're planning your Sunday around the 60th edition of the Big Game, you need more than just a guess. This isn't just another game; it's Super Bowl LX, a milestone year that’s taking us back to the West Coast.
The Exact Moment Everything Starts
Basically, Super Bowl LX is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Now, if you’re living in Santa Clara or anywhere on the West Coast, that’s 3:30 p.m. PT. It’s kinda weird for locals because the sun is still high in the sky when the coin toss happens, but for the rest of the country, it's the usual prime-time slot.
Wait.
Don't just set your alarm for 6:30 p.m. and expect to see the kickoff. The NFL is notorious for "kickoff creep." Between the national anthem—this year performed by Charlie Puth—and the various color guard ceremonies, the actual foot-to-ball moment usually happens a few minutes after the half-hour mark.
Where is it happening?
We’re heading to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It’s the home of the San Francisco 49ers, and if you remember Super Bowl 50, you know this venue can put on a massive show. It’s over 40 miles away from San Francisco proper, which is a fun fact that always confuses people who fly into SFO and realize they still have a massive commute to the stadium.
How to watch without losing your mind
NBC has the rights this year. If you’re old school, you can just use a digital antenna and get it for free over the air. But most of us are streaming now.
- Peacock will be the main streaming home.
- Telemundo is handling the Spanish-language broadcast.
- NFL+ works if you’re trying to watch on a phone or tablet while hiding in the kitchen.
One thing people forget: NBC is tying this into their "Super Gold Sunday" vibe because of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. It’s a huge sports mountain for the network, so expect a lot of cross-promotion.
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The Bad Bunny Factor
The halftime show is always the biggest "event within the event." This year, Bad Bunny is headlining. He’s the first Latin trap artist to lead the solo show, and honestly, the hype is already through the roof.
The halftime show usually starts about 90 to 100 minutes after kickoff. So, if you’re only tuning in for the music, you’re looking at roughly 8:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. Just keep in mind that football time is fluid. A few long injury timeouts or a bunch of incomplete passes can push that back significantly.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
The biggest mistake is ignoring the time zone shift. Since the game is in California, the "local" time feels very early. If you're hosting a party on the East Coast, your guests might be ready to eat at 6:00 p.m., but if you're in Vegas or LA, you’re looking at a late lunch/early dinner situation.
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Also, don't sleep on the pre-game. NBC starts their "Road to the Super Bowl" and pre-game hype shows as early as 12:00 p.m. ET. It’s a lot of talking heads and slow-motion montages. Most people only care about the final hour of pre-game, which starts around 5:30 p.m. ET when the teams actually take the field for warmups.
The Playoff Picture
As of right now, we’re in the thick of the playoffs. The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams are looking like heavy hitters in the NFC. Over in the AFC, the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills are the names everyone is whispering about. The idea of a Bills vs. Rams Super Bowl is a dream for stats nerds, but we won't know the final matchup until the conference championships wrap up.
Actionable Steps for Your Super Bowl Sunday
If you want to actually enjoy the game instead of troubleshooting your TV while the national anthem is playing, do these three things:
- Test your stream on Saturday. If you're using Peacock or a live TV service like YouTube TV, log in 24 hours early to make sure your subscription didn't expire.
- Sync your food for 6:15 p.m. ET. You want the hot food ready just as the final pre-game intros finish. If you eat at 5:30, you'll be in a food coma by the second quarter.
- Check your data. If you're watching on NFL+ via mobile, make sure you're on Wi-Fi. The Super Bowl in 4K (which NBC is expected to offer in select markets) will eat through a data plan faster than a linebacker hits a gap.
Knowing what time is the super bowl is the first step, but the rest is all about the prep. February 8th is going to be a long day, so pace yourself.