You’re sitting on the couch, the wings are getting cold, and you’re staring at a TV screen that seems stuck in a loop of truck commercials and talking heads. We’ve all been there. You thought the game started at 6:00, but here you are, thirty minutes later, still waiting for a coin toss. It’s annoying.
Honestly, the "official" start time for the Super Bowl is usually more of a suggestion than a rule. For Super Bowl LX, which is set to take over the San Francisco Bay Area on Sunday, February 8, 2026, the NFL has slated the kickoff for 6:30 p.m. ET.
If you're on the West Coast, that’s 3:30 p.m. PT. Local time.
The Real Kickoff for Super Bowl LX
Don't be fooled by the 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local time) timestamp. If you tune in right at that second, you're going to see a lot of pageantry before a single cleat hits the turf. Historically, the actual ball-on-tee moment happens about 12 to 20 minutes after the broadcast "starts."
✨ Don't miss: Top 5 Wide Receivers in NFL: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the delay? Well, you've got the National Anthem, the "America the Beautiful" performance, player introductions that feel like a gladiator movie, and the coin toss involving some legendary former player. For 2026, Charlie Puth is handling the National Anthem, so expect a bit of a show there before the whistle blows.
Where exactly is the game?
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This is the home of the San Francisco 49ers, and it’s the second time this venue has hosted the Big Game (the last was Super Bowl 50 back in 2016). It's a high-tech stadium, but it's famous for being a bit of a trek from actual San Francisco—about 40 miles south. If you're attending, leave early. Traffic on the 101 on Super Bowl Sunday is a special kind of nightmare.
How to Watch (And Not Miss the First Down)
NBC has the broadcast rights this year. They’re bringing back the heavy hitters: Mike Tirico on play-by-play and Cris Collinsworth in the booth. If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck.
🔗 Read more: Tonya Johnson: The Real Story Behind Saquon Barkley's Mom and His NFL Journey
- Peacock: This is the primary streaming home. You'll need a subscription, but it's the most stable way to watch if you don't have cable.
- Telemundo: For the Spanish-language broadcast.
- NFL+: Good for mobile or tablet users, but usually has restrictions on casting to a big screen.
- The "Old School" Way: A digital antenna. NBC is a broadcast network, so if you're within range of a tower, you can get the game in HD for free. No lag, no buffering.
The Bad Bunny Halftime Factor
The halftime show is its own beast. Bad Bunny is the headliner for Super Bowl 60. This is a huge deal—he’s the first Latin male artist to headline solo.
Usually, the first half of the game takes about 90 minutes. That means you can expect the halftime show to start around 8:00 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. ET. If the game is a defensive slog with a lot of incomplete passes, it might be earlier. If it’s a high-scoring shootout with constant penalties and timeouts, it could push closer to 8:30 p.m.
The show itself is strictly 12 to 15 minutes. It’s a miracle of logistics; they build and strike a massive stage on a professional grass field in the time it takes most people to go to the bathroom and grab a second plate of nachos.
💡 You might also like: Tom Brady Throwing Motion: What Most People Get Wrong
Getting Tickets (If You’re Feeling Wealthy)
Let’s be real: most of us are watching from the sofa. But if you're looking to be there in person, the prices are, frankly, astronomical. Early listings on sites like Vivid Seats show tickets starting around $6,100 for the "cheap" seats. The average price is hovering closer to $8,600.
If you want the VIP treatment via On Location (the NFL's official partner), you’re looking at packages that start at $7,200 and can easily climb to $18,500 for "Club 67" access. It’s a bucket-list item for sure, but it costs as much as a used Honda Civic.
Surprising Details About the 2026 Logo
The NFL has moved away from the boring, silver "template" logos. The Super Bowl LX logo actually has some personality. It features the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco skyline, and even some Redwood trees. It’s a nice nod to Northern California, even if the game is technically played in a Silicon Valley suburb.
Practical Next Steps for Your Game Day
To make sure your Super Bowl Sunday doesn't turn into a stressful mess of "Wait, what channel is it on?" follow this checklist:
- Test your stream on Saturday. If you're using Peacock or a streaming service like YouTube TV, log in the day before. Don't wait until 6:25 p.m. on Sunday to realize you forgot your password or need a system update.
- The "20-Minute Rule." Plan for the game to actually start at 6:45 p.m. ET. Use those first fifteen minutes of the broadcast for your final food prep.
- Sync your snacks. The second quarter is usually the longest. Plan your main "meal" for then, so you’re ready to focus when Bad Bunny takes the stage at halftime.
- Download the NFL App. If the power goes out or your Wi-Fi dies (it happens), having a backup on your phone with a cellular connection is a lifesaver.
Super Bowl LX is going to be a massive cultural moment, especially with the game returning to the Bay Area. Whether you're there for the football, the commercials, or the reggaeton, just remember: 6:30 p.m. ET is the time to be in your seat, but 6:48 p.m. is likely when the ball actually flies.