You've probably already seen the memes or heard the office chatter. The NFL season is barreling toward its inevitable, chaotic finish, and everyone is asking the same thing: when is super bowl play this time around? Honestly, it feels like the date shifts just enough every year to keep us all guessing.
Well, grab your calendar. Super Bowl LX is set to play on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
This isn't just another game. It is the big 6-0. The Diamond Anniversary. The NFL is heading back to the West Coast for this one, specifically to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. If you're a Niners fan, the irony of the game being in your backyard while the team fights through the playoffs isn't lost on anyone.
When Is Super Bowl Play: Kickoff Times and TV Details
Nobody wants to be the person who shows up to the watch party just as the halftime show starts. Timing is everything.
While the "official" start time is always a bit fluid thanks to the pre-game ceremonies and the national anthem—which, by the way, is being handled by Charlie Puth this year—the NFL has a pretty strict window for the actual whistle.
The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET. If you are on the West Coast, that’s a 3:30 p.m. start. Basically, you’re looking at a full afternoon and evening of football. NBC has the broadcasting rights this year, which means you’ll be hearing Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth on the call.
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If you’ve cut the cord, don’t panic. You can stream the whole thing on Peacock. Just make sure your subscription is active before the coin toss. There’s also the NFL+ app for mobile users, though watching a championship game on a six-inch screen feels like a crime against sports.
The Venue: Why Santa Clara?
Levi’s Stadium isn't exactly new to this. They hosted Super Bowl 50 back in 2016 (the one where Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset). The NFL loves the Bay Area for February games because the weather is usually "football perfect"—not too hot, but definitely not a "Ice Bowl" situation like you’d get in Buffalo or Green Bay.
Who Is Actually Playing?
This is where things get interesting. As of right now, the playoffs are a total meat grinder. We don't have the final two teams yet, but the Vegas oddsmakers are leaning hard into a few favorites.
The Seattle Seahawks are currently the darlings of the NFC. After they dismantled the 49ers to close out the regular season, they grabbed that No. 1 seed and haven't looked back. On the AFC side, the Buffalo Bills are finally looking like the juggernaut everyone expected. Seeing Josh Allen finally get a ring would be a massive storyline, but he’s got to get past the Denver Broncos and a surging New England Patriots squad first.
It’s anyone's game. Honestly, seeing the Chicago Bears jump from +8000 odds to +1600 after a wild comeback against the Packers just proves that anything can happen in January.
The Halftime Spectacle: Bad Bunny Takes the Stage
Let’s be real. Half the people at your party are only there for the snacks and the halftime show.
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This year, the NFL and Apple Music went big. Bad Bunny is headlining. He is the first solo Latin male artist to ever lead a Super Bowl halftime show, and the hype is massive. He’s already promised it will be a tribute to his culture and history. Considering he was the most streamed artist on the planet for several years running, expect the viewership numbers to break some records.
The show usually starts about 90 minutes to two hours after kickoff, so expect to see him on screen around 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. ET.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
A common mistake is thinking the Super Bowl is always the first Sunday in February. It used to be! But ever since the NFL expanded the regular season to 17 games, the "Big Game" has been pushed back to the second Sunday.
If you plan your party for February 1st, you’re going to be sitting in a very quiet living room.
Also, keep in mind that NBC is juggling a lot this year. They are also broadcasting the Winter Olympics and the NBA All-Star Game around the same time. It’s a massive month for sports media, which explains why the commercial slots are reportedly selling for a cool $7 million per 30 seconds.
Actionable Tips for Super Bowl Sunday
If you're hosting or just trying to survive the day, here is how you handle it like a pro:
- Check Your Tech: If you're streaming on Peacock, log in at least an hour early. High-traffic events like this are notorious for server glitches. Update your app on Saturday.
- The Food Window: Wings take longer than you think. If you're ordering out, get your time slot confirmed four days in advance. Most pizza places in major cities hit capacity by Wednesday.
- The "Monday Morning" Rule: A lot of people forget that the game ends late. If you’re on the East Coast, the trophy presentation won’t wrap up until nearly 10:30 p.m. Maybe put in for that half-day at work now.
- Betting Lines: If you’re into the spread, keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of the Conference Championships on January 25. A single ankle sprain for a QB can shift the line by 3 points in an hour.
The road to Super Bowl LX is almost over. Whether you're rooting for a Seahawks-Bills matchup or hoping for a dark horse like the Rams to sneak in, the date remains the same. Sunday, February 8. See you at kickoff.