If you’re already scouting out where to buy the wings and how many bags of chips are "too many," you're likely asking: what day is the Super Bowl and what time does the thing actually start?
Most people assume it’s the same weekend every year. It’s not. The NFL schedule has a mind of its own lately, especially with that 17-game season mess.
Super Bowl LX is officially hitting our screens on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Forget the mid-February dates you might have seen in 2022 or 2024. This one is earlier. We are back in the single digits of February. It’s happening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. That’s the home of the 49ers, which is basically an hour south of San Francisco if traffic is behaving (it usually isn't).
The Exact Kickoff Time You Need to Know
The NFL loves a ritual. They don't just "start" a game; they produce a four-hour epic.
The official kickoff for Super Bowl 2026 is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET.
If you're on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 3:30 p.m. PT start. That’s actually kind of nice—you can finish the game and still have time for a decent night’s sleep before work on Monday. Unless your team loses. Then there’s no sleep, just staring at the ceiling.
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Here is how that breaks down across the time zones, just so there’s no confusion:
- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m.
Honestly, don’t trust the 6:30 p.m. mark to be the actual moment the ball hits the tee. Between the National Anthem—performed this year by Charlie Puth—and the coin toss, the actual game usually starts about 10 to 15 minutes after the "official" time.
Where to Watch (And Why This Year is Weird)
NBC is handling the broadcast this time around. But there’s a massive twist. 2026 is a Winter Olympics year. The Milan-Cortina Games will be happening at the exact same time as the Super Bowl.
Because NBC owns the rights to both, they are pulling a "Super Sunday" on steroids. They’re literally broadcasting the Olympics in the morning and then pivoting straight into Super Bowl pre-game coverage.
Mike Tirico is the man of the hour here. He’s calling the Super Bowl play-by-play (his first time!) and then, reportedly, hosting the Olympic primetime show immediately after. The man is going to need a lot of coffee.
Streaming and Cable Options
- NBC: The traditional over-the-air way. Get an antenna; it’s free and the 4K-upscaled signal is often better than compressed cable.
- Peacock: If you’re a cord-cutter, this is your home.
- Telemundo: For the Spanish-language broadcast.
- NFL+: Good for mobile, but usually limited to phones and tablets.
Bad Bunny and the Halftime Show Chaos
The halftime show is its own beast. For Super Bowl LX, Bad Bunny is the headliner.
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This choice has sparked a ton of debate on social media, which is basically a Super Bowl tradition at this point. Some people wanted a "throwback" rock act, while others are stoked for the Latin trap vibes. Regardless of where you stand, Bad Bunny is a global juggernaut. He’s likely going to bring out some massive surprise guests to satisfy the "I don't know this music" crowd.
Expect the halftime show to start around 8:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET, depending on how many penalties the refs call in the first half.
Why February 8 Matters
The NFL moved the Super Bowl to the second Sunday in February a few years back when they added the 18th week to the regular season. Before that, it was usually the first Sunday. If you're planning a party, double-check your calendar.
Checking the wrong year is a classic mistake. If you look at a 2025 calendar by accident, you’ll be sitting in an empty living room wondering why nobody showed up with the guacamole.
Practical Steps for Your Super Bowl Sunday
- Test Your Stream Early: If you're using Peacock, log in at 4:00 p.m. ET. Don't wait until 6:25 p.m. to find out you forgot your password or the app needs a 2GB update.
- The Food Timeline: If you’re ordering pizza, do it for a 5:00 p.m. delivery. If you aim for 6:15 p.m., your food will arrive at halftime. I’ve lived this nightmare. It’s not worth it.
- Antenna Backup: If you rely on internet-based TV (like YouTube TV or Hulu Live), there is often a 30-second delay. Your neighbors will scream "TOUCHDOWN!" while you’re still watching a 2nd-and-5. An over-the-air antenna is real-time.
Super Bowl LX is shaping up to be a massive cultural collision between the NFL, the Olympics, and a global pop icon. Get your setup ready for February 8. It’s going to be a long, loud, and very expensive day for advertisers.
Actionable Insight: Download the NFL OnePass app now. It’s the only way to get the official "Gameday Guide" if you’re actually heading to Santa Clara, but even for home viewers, it’s the best way to track the weird "Super Bowl Experience" events happening in San Francisco during the week leading up to the game.