Honestly, there is nothing worse than hovering over the chip dip, beverage in hand, only to realize you’ve already missed the coin toss. We have all been there. You think the game starts at one time, but between the pre-game "fluff," the national anthem, and the endless commercials, the actual whistle feels like a moving target.
If you are planning your Sunday spread for the big game, you need to know exactly when the superbowl kick off is happening so you aren't stuck watching a pre-taped segment about a quarterback's childhood dog when you wanted to see the opening drive.
For Super Bowl LX (that's 60 for those of us who haven't brushed up on Roman numerals lately), the NFL is heading back to the West Coast. Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara is the spot. Because it's in California, the timing can feel a little wonky if you’re used to the usual East Coast rhythm.
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Super Bowl Kickoff Time and Date
Lock this in: Super Bowl LX is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026.
The official superbowl kick off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Since the game is being played at the home of the San Francisco 49ers, that means a 3:30 p.m. PT local start time. If you’re in the Central Time zone, you’re looking at 5:30 p.m., and Mountain Time folks should be ready by 4:30 p.m.
Now, if you’ve watched a single football game in your life, you know "6:30 p.m." is more of a polite suggestion. The NFL is a well-oiled machine of pageantry. You’ve got the national anthem (Charlie Puth is taking the mic this year), "America the Beautiful" (Brandi Carlile), and the coin toss. Usually, the actual foot-to-ball moment happens closer to 6:40 p.m. ET, but don't quote me on that if you're placing a bet on the opening play. Show up at 6:30 p.m. to be safe.
Where to Watch the 2026 Big Game
This year, the rotation lands on NBC.
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If you aren't a cable person, don't sweat it. You can stream the whole thing on Peacock. It’s also going to be on Telemundo for the Spanish-language broadcast. For the folks who prefer to watch on their phones while hiding from social gatherings, the NFL+ app will have the live feed as well.
Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth are the ones in the booth this time around. Love him or hate him, Collinsworth is going to "slide" into the frame, and Tirico is going to bring that steady, professional energy we expect for a game this big.
The Bad Bunny Halftime Factor
We can't talk about the superbowl kick off without talking about the mid-point. Bad Bunny is headlining.
This is kind of a massive deal. He’s the first Latin solo artist to headline the show, and considering his 2025 album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS was a juggernaut, the energy in Levi's Stadium is going to be absurd.
If you are only tuning in for the music, the halftime show usually starts about 90 to 100 minutes after the initial superbowl kick off. So, if we start at 6:30 p.m., expect the stage to be rolled out somewhere around 8:15 p.m. ET. But remember, a high-scoring game or a lot of penalties can push that back.
The Logistics of Levi's Stadium
Santa Clara isn't exactly San Francisco. It’s about 40 miles south. If you are actually going to the game, give yourself way more time than you think you need. The traffic around the Bay Area on a normal Tuesday is a nightmare; on Super Bowl Sunday, it’s basically a parking lot.
The stadium itself is one of the more high-tech spots in the league, but it's notorious for being incredibly hot in the direct sun during afternoon games. Since the superbowl kick off is at 3:30 p.m. local time, the first half is going to be bright. If you’re sitting on the east side of the stadium, bring sunglasses. You’ll thank me later.
Why the Date Changed
You might remember the Super Bowl used to be the first Sunday in February.
Well, once the NFL moved to a 17-game regular season a few years back, everything shifted. Now, the second Sunday in February is the permanent home for the championship. It gives the players that extra week of recovery after the conference championships, and it gives us an extra week to argue about who’s going to win.
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Actionable Tips for Your Viewing Party
Don't let the clock catch you off guard. Here is how to actually handle the superbowl kick off like a pro:
- Check your feed delay: If you are streaming on Peacock or another digital service, you are likely 30 to 60 seconds behind the "live" cable broadcast. Turn off your phone notifications. There is nothing worse than getting a "TOUCHDOWN!" text from your brother while the quarterback is still taking the snap on your screen.
- The 5:30 Rule: If the game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET, your food needs to be out by 5:45 p.m. This gives people time to graze, get their drinks, and settle into their "assigned" couch spots before the national anthem starts.
- Antenna Backup: If you're worried about your Wi-Fi cutting out during the biggest game of the year, buy a cheap digital antenna. NBC is a broadcast network. You can pull that signal out of the air for free in high definition without relying on a router.
- Update your apps: If you're using Peacock or NFL+, check for updates on Saturday. You don't want to be staring at a "Downloading Update... 1%" screen at 6:29 p.m.
The 2026 season has been wild, and seeing if the Eagles can repeat their 2025 success or if a new powerhouse emerges is the only reason we're all hovering around the TV anyway. Just make sure you're actually there when the ball flies.