Wait, is it already that time? Honestly, the NFL season feels like it just started, and yet here we are, staring down the barrel of the biggest Sunday of the year. If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent the last week arguing about whether the spread is too high or if the halftime show is actually going to be worth the hype this year. But let’s get the most important detail out of the way first. You don't want to be the person still heating up the buffalo chicken dip when the coin hits the turf.
What time is kickoff for the Super Bowl today?
Basically, you need to be in front of a screen by 6:30 p.m. ET. That is the magic number. If you are on the West Coast, specifically near the stadium in Santa Clara, you’re looking at a 3:30 p.m. PT start.
Super Bowl LX is taking over Levi’s Stadium—the home of the San Francisco 49ers—and they aren't messing around with the timing. While the official "kickoff" is scheduled for that 6:30 p.m. ET slot, we all know how this goes. Between the National Anthem (Charlie Puth has the honors this year) and the flyovers, the actual toe-to-leather moment usually creeps a few minutes past the half-hour mark.
Don't gamble on those extra five minutes.
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The 2026 TV Schedule and Where to Stream
This year is a bit of a weird one for the broadcasters. NBC has the rights, which is pretty standard, but they are pulling double duty. Since the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are happening at the exact same time, the network is basically running a sports marathon.
Mike Tirico is making history today. He’s calling the game—his first-ever Super Bowl play-by-play—and then he’s immediately pivoting to host the Olympic primetime coverage from the field. Talk about a long day at the office.
If you’ve cut the cord, you have a few ways to catch the action:
- Peacock: This is the primary streaming home. If you have a subscription, you’re golden.
- Telemundo: For the Spanish-language broadcast.
- NFL+: Good for mobile or tablet viewing, though it usually has a small subscription fee.
- YouTube TV / Fubo / Hulu + Live TV: Basically any service that carries your local NBC affiliate.
I've heard some chatter about Tubi potentially streaming it for free like they did in the past, but honestly, if you want to be safe, stick with Peacock or a verified live TV streamer. There’s nothing worse than a laggy "free" stream when a 50-yard bomb is in the air.
Why 6:30 p.m. ET is Just the Beginning
If you think you can just tune in at 6:29 p.m. and be fine, you’re missing half the fun. The pre-game festivities are actually starting way earlier. NBC is kicking off their "Road to the Super Bowl" special at Noon ET, followed by the official pre-game show at 1 p.m. ET.
It's a lot of talking heads, sure. But this year’s musical lineup is actually pretty solid. Along with Charlie Puth's anthem, we’ve got Brandi Carlile doing “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones taking on “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
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And then there's the Bad Bunny of it all.
The halftime show is arguably just as big as the game itself in 2026. After Kendrick Lamar’s massive performance last year, the pressure is on. Bad Bunny has been teasing this for months, and considering he’s the first Latin urban artist to headline solo, the production value is expected to be through the roof. Most halftime shows start roughly 90 minutes to two hours after kickoff, so expect the "Benito" takeover around 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET.
A Quick Reality Check on the Venue
Levi’s Stadium is technically in Santa Clara, which is about 40 miles south of San Francisco. If you happen to be in the Bay Area trying to catch the vibe, don't expect to just "pop over" to the stadium. Traffic on the 101 is a nightmare on a Tuesday; on Super Bowl Sunday, it’s a parking lot.
The stadium itself is a bit of a tech marvel, though. It’s got that massive green roof and high-density Wi-Fi, which is great because everyone inside will be trying to upload TikToks of the Bad Bunny set at the same time. This is the second time Levi’s has hosted (the first was Super Bowl 50), and the NFL clearly likes the Silicon Valley setup.
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What to Expect if the Game Goes Long
Super Bowls usually run about three and a half hours. With the 6:30 p.m. ET start, you’re looking at a finish time around 10:00 p.m. ET, assuming there isn't a power outage or a double-overtime thriller.
But remember what I said about the Olympics? As soon as the Lombardi Trophy is handed out and the confetti is swept up, NBC is jumping straight back to Italy for the Winter Games coverage. If you're a sports junkie, you aren't going to sleep until Monday morning.
Pro Tip: If you’re hosting, start your main food service around 5:45 p.m. ET. This gives everyone time to load their plates before the National Anthem starts and keeps the kitchen noise to a minimum once the game actually begins.
Your Game Day Checklist
- Check your connection: Open the Peacock app or tune to NBC now to make sure you aren't hit with a "system update" at 6:25 p.m.
- Sync your clocks: 6:30 p.m. ET is the hard start.
- Prepare for the transition: If you want to see the trophy presentation, stick around until about 10:15 p.m. ET.
The 2025 season has been wild, and seeing it end in the Bay Area feels right. Whether you’re here for the commercials, the halftime show, or the actual football, just make sure you’re settled in before that clock hits 6:30.
Go get your snacks ready. The countdown is officially on.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your local NBC affiliate or log into your Peacock account at least 30 minutes before the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff to ensure your stream is stable and your subscription is active. If you are using a digital antenna, scan for channels now to avoid signal issues during the pre-game show.