You’ve got the wings. The dip is chilling. Your favorite jersey—the one with the questionable mustard stain from three seasons ago—is ready for action. But honestly, the most stressful part of the "Big Game" isn't the fourth-quarter blitz; it’s figuring out exactly when to sit your butt on the couch.
If you're asking what time does the super bowl game start, you aren't just looking for a number on a clock. You’re trying to time the delivery guy, the pre-game bathroom break, and that weirdly long national anthem rendition.
For Super Bowl LX (that's 60 for those of us who stopped learning Roman numerals in third grade), the magic number is 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Kickoff Countdown: Breaking Down the Zones
The NFL loves tradition, and a 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff is about as set in stone as a Thanksgiving food coma. Since the game is happening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, the "local" fans are actually getting a mid-afternoon treat.
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Basically, here is how it shakes out across the country:
- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m.
Now, if you’re one of our friends across the pond in the UK, God bless you. You’re looking at an 11:30 p.m. start. Hope you cleared your Monday morning schedule or have a very understanding boss.
Why "Start Time" Is Kinda a Lie
Here’s the thing. If you turn on the TV at exactly 6:30 p.m., you’ve probably already missed the coin toss. The NFL is a well-oiled machine of pageantry. There are flyovers. There are emotional montages narrated by legendary actors. There is the National Anthem (performed this year by Charlie Puth, by the way).
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If you want to actually see the ball leave the tee, you should probably be settled in by 6:15 p.m. ET. NBC is handling the broadcast this year—taking the baton from Fox—and they usually start their "pre-game" coverage as early as 1:00 p.m. ET. Do you need five and a half hours of analysis? Probably not. But it’s there if you want it.
The Half-Time Factor and Bad Bunny
Let’s be real. Half the people at your party aren't there for the 1st-and-10s. They're there for the snacks and the Halftime Show.
With Bad Bunny headlining Super Bowl 60, the energy is going to be massive. Because the first half of the game usually takes about 90 minutes to two hours (thanks to those $7 million commercials), you can expect the halftime show to start somewhere around 8:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET.
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Unlike a regular season game where halftime is a quick 12-minute breather, the Super Bowl halftime is a massive production. It lasts about 30 minutes total, including the stage setup and teardown. It’s a literal feat of engineering.
Where to Watch Without Losing Your Mind
NBC is the home for the 2026 game. If you’ve cut the cord, don’t panic. You can stream the whole thing on Peacock.
If you're looking for the Spanish-language broadcast, head over to Telemundo. And for the true tech nerds, NBC is expected to push a 1080p HDR feed that upscales beautifully to 4K on compatible devices. Just make sure your internet can handle it; nothing ruins a game like the "buffering" wheel of death during a game-winning drive.
Practical Steps for Your Game Day
Don't just wing it. A little planning goes a long way.
- Check your signal: If you’re using an antenna, do a scan on Saturday. Don’t wait until Sunday at 6:25 p.m.
- The Food Rule: Aim to have the hot food ready by 6:00 p.m. ET. This gives people time to load their plates before the "kickoff anxiety" sets in.
- App Updates: If you're streaming on Peacock or a service like YouTube TV, update the app on your Smart TV or Roku now.
The game usually wraps up around 10:00 p.m. or 10:30 p.m. ET, assuming we don't go into a heart-stopping overtime. Set your alarms, prep your dip, and enjoy the spectacle.