Honestly, if you're looking for the short answer: Super Bowl LX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
But there’s a lot more to the story this year. 2026 isn't a normal football season. For the first time in a decade, the NFL is heading back to the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. It's a massive deal because the league is basically trying to juggle the biggest game on earth with the Winter Olympics in Italy simultaneously. NBC has the broadcast rights for both, which means your Sunday TV schedule is going to look like a sports fan’s fever dream.
The Super Bowl LX Kickoff Time and Where to Watch
If you are on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 3:30 p.m. PT start. For everyone else, here is how the clock breaks down:
- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
NBC is the home for the game this year. They are doing something pretty ambitious. They’ve got Mike Tirico calling the play-by-play, but he’s also hosting the Olympic coverage from Italy earlier that same day. It’s a logistical nightmare that only the NFL and a major network would try to pull off. You can catch the game on NBC, stream it on Peacock, or watch the Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo. If you're stuck on a plane or a bus, the NFL+ app is your best bet for mobile streaming.
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Why this year feels different
The NFL moved the Super Bowl to the second Sunday in February a few years back when they added the 17th regular-season game. It messed with everyone’s internal clock. We used to expect the game at the very start of February, but now it’s nudged right up against Valentine's Day.
This specific game, Super Bowl 60 (or LX for the Roman numeral fans), is being treated as a "Diamond Anniversary" of sorts. The logo even has this sleek CMYK color palette featuring the Golden Gate Bridge and those iconic redwood trees. It’s a vibe.
The Bad Bunny Factor: Halftime and Entertainment
Kinda crazy to think about, but the halftime show is often more searched for than the actual game time. This year, the NFL went big with Bad Bunny. He’s the first solo Latino act to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.
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If you are only tuning in for the music, here is the deal: the halftime show usually starts about 90 to 100 minutes after kickoff. So, you’re looking at roughly 8:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. Don’t hold me to the exact minute, though—if there are a lot of turnovers or long review plays in the first half, it could slide closer to 8:30 p.m.
The Pre-Game Lineup
Before the coin toss even happens, there's a heavy-hitting musical roster. Charlie Puth is slated for the National Anthem. Brandi Carlile is doing "America the Beautiful," and Coco Jones is performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Usually, the pre-game festivities start around 6:00 p.m. ET, so if you want to see the anthem, don't wait until 6:30 p.m. to sit down.
Navigating the "Super Bowl Monday" Struggle
Look, we all know the Monday after the Super Bowl is the least productive day in the American workforce. Since the game is in Santa Clara, the local sunset will happen just as the second half starts.
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If the game goes into overtime—like we saw with the Chiefs and 49ers back in 2024—you might be looking at a finish time past 10:30 p.m. ET. NBC is actually planning to transition directly from the trophy presentation back into Winter Olympics coverage (Primetime in Milan). It’s going to be a long night for sports junkies.
Actionable Tips for Your Super Bowl Sunday:
- Check your Peacock Subscription: If you’re streaming, log in a day early. There is nothing worse than realizing your password expired five minutes before kickoff and having to reset it while the "Your stream is 30 seconds behind" spoiler texts start hitting your phone.
- Sync your Food Delivery: If you’re using DoorDash or UberEats in a major city, order your wings at 4:30 p.m. ET. If you wait until 6:00 p.m., the wait times will be astronomical.
- The "Olympic Transition": If you aren't a fan of skiing or figure skating, keep the remote handy. As soon as the Lombardi Trophy is raised, the broadcast is shifting gears to Italy.
- Local Traffic: If you actually live in the Bay Area, stay off the 101 and the 880. Santa Clara is basically going to be a parking lot starting the Thursday before the game.
Whether you're there for the commercials, the reggaeton halftime, or actual football, the 6:30 p.m. ET start is the golden rule. Just remember that the pre-game hype starts way earlier—NBC is actually kicking off their "Road to the Super Bowl" coverage at noon ET. Plan your snacks accordingly.