So, you’re trying to figure out when the next Super Bowl is actually happening. Totally get it. Every year, it feels like the NFL shifts things around just enough to make us all double-check our calendars. Between the expanded 17-game regular season and the way the playoffs stretch out, the "Big Game" has drifted deeper into February than it used to be.
If you're looking for the most immediate answer, Super Bowl LX is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026. It’s going down at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. If that sounds familiar, it's because that's the home of the San Francisco 49ers. The last time the Super Bowl was held there was 2016—Super Bowl 50—when Peyton Manning basically rode off into the sunset with a ring.
The Super Bowl Date Everyone Just Missed
Kinda crazy how fast time flies. We literally just wrapped up Super Bowl LIX. That one happened on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. If you missed it, you missed a wild rematch where the Philadelphia Eagles finally got their revenge on the Kansas City Chiefs, winning 40-22.
Jalen Hurts was the MVP, Kendrick Lamar absolutely crushed the halftime show with SZA, and Tom Brady made his official Super Bowl broadcasting debut in the booth for Fox. Honestly, the 2025 game set a high bar for whatever happens in 2026.
Why the Super Bowl Date Keeps Shifting
Usually, the game lands on the second Sunday of February. It wasn't always this way. For decades, we were used to late January or the very first Sunday of February.
Basically, the NFL added an extra week to the regular season a few years back. That pushed everything. Now, the schedule is pretty much locked into this mid-February slot for the foreseeable future. If you’re planning a party for 2026, you’re looking at that February 8th date.
What to Expect for Super Bowl LX (2026)
The 2026 game is already generating a ton of buzz, mostly because of the location and the halftime rumors. Levi’s Stadium is basically in the heart of Silicon Valley. It’s high-tech, but let’s be real—the traffic in Santa Clara is a nightmare. If you're planning on going, start looking at hotels in San Jose or even San Francisco now, though your wallet will definitely feel it.
- The Date: February 8, 2026.
- The Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.
- The Network: NBC is slated to broadcast this one.
- The Streaming Home: You'll likely find it on Peacock.
- Halftime Headliner: Bad Bunny is the name everyone is talking about for the 2026 show.
Getting the Kickoff Time Right
Nothing is worse than showing up to a party and realizing the wings are gone because you got the time zone wrong. The NFL loves its tradition. Kickoff for the Super Bowl almost always happens around 6:30 PM ET.
For the West Coast folks, that’s a 3:30 PM PT start. Since the 2026 game is in California, the sun will actually still be up when the ball is kicked off. It creates a weirdly cool vibe in the stadium for the first half before the lights really take over for the halftime show.
How to Actually Watch Super Bowl 2026
You’ve got options. If you still have cable, just flip to NBC. But since most people are cutting the cord, you’ll want to make sure your Peacock subscription is active.
In 2025, we saw Tubi offer a free 4K stream, which was a massive win for anyone who didn't want to pay for a sub. We'll have to see if NBC pulls a similar move or keeps it strictly behind the Peacock paywall. Usually, the NFL app also lets you stream on mobile devices if you’re stuck in an Uber or at work during the game.
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Planning Your Super Bowl Sunday
If you're hosting, you've got to think about the "window." The game itself usually runs about 3 and a half to 4 hours. With the trophy presentation and the post-game interviews, you're looking at a late night if you're on the East Coast.
- Check your tech: Ensure your streaming app is updated 48 hours before.
- Food timing: Aim to have the main spread ready by 6:00 PM ET.
- The Halftime factor: The show usually starts about 90 minutes to 2 hours after kickoff.
Knowing the date of the Super Bowl is only half the battle. Staying on top of which teams are actually surging in the playoffs is the real trick. As we move through the 2025 season and head toward that February 2026 date, keep an eye on the injury reports—they always end up being the deciding factor in who actually makes it to Santa Clara.