If you’re planning your wings-and-dip schedule for the big game, you've probably seen the official number: 6:30 p.m. ET. It’s the standard. It's the time the NFL puts on the glossy pamphlets. But if you actually click your TV on at 6:30, you're going to see a coin toss, a lot of standing around, and maybe some military jets screaming over Santa Clara.
The real kickoff? That usually slides a few minutes later. Honestly, it's closer to 6:40 p.m. ET by the time the ball actually leaves the tee.
What time does the super bowl start in your neck of the woods?
The 2026 Super Bowl—officially Super Bowl LX—is happening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Because it’s out west, the "local" time feels a bit early for a championship. If you are sitting in a sports bar in San Francisco, the game starts at 3:30 p.m. PT.
For the rest of the country, here is the breakdown of when you need to be on the couch:
- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m.
Now, if you're tuning in from London or Berlin, godspeed. You’re looking at an 11:30 p.m. start in the UK and a 12:30 a.m. Monday morning start in most of Europe. Stock up on espresso.
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The pre-game ritual and the "real" start
NBC has the broadcast rights this year. They aren't just showing up at 6:00 and calling it a day. Their pre-game coverage usually fires up around 1:00 p.m. ET. That’s five and a half hours of talking heads, human interest stories about quarterbacks, and analysis of "the keys to the game" that we’ve all heard a thousand times.
Around 6:20 p.m. ET, things get serious. This is when the National Anthem happens. For 2026, Charlie Puth is slated to handle the singing duties. If you're a betting person, the "over/under" on the length of the anthem is a genuine thing people put money on.
After that, you’ve got the coin toss. Only then do we actually get to the football.
Where to watch Super Bowl LX (and how to do it for free)
Since NBC is the home for 2026, you’ve got a few ways to watch that don't involve a massive cable bill.
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Basically, if you have a pair of "rabbit ears" or a modern digital antenna, you can pull the game for free. NBC is an over-the-air network. It’s the most reliable way to watch without worrying about your internet buffering right when a wide receiver is streaking down the sideline.
If you’re a streamer, Peacock is your primary destination. They’ll be live-streaming the NBC feed. You can also find it on:
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV
- Fubo (though check your local listings, they sometimes have carriage disputes)
- NFL+ (usually limited to mobile devices and tablets)
For the Spanish-language broadcast, Telemundo has the rights again. They do a phenomenal job with the energy of the game, even if you don't speak a word of Spanish.
The Bad Bunny Halftime Show: What to expect
The halftime show is its own beast. It usually starts about 90 minutes to two hours after kickoff. If the game starts at 6:30, expect the lights to go down for the music somewhere around 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. ET.
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This year is a massive shift. Bad Bunny is headlining.
He’s the first solo Spanish-speaking artist to take the top spot. It’s a huge deal for the NFL's global branding. There's been some weird internet drama about height requirements for the backup performers—apparently, they were looking for people between 5'10" and 6'1" for "visual symmetry"—but the music is what people care about. Rumors are flying that Cardi B might show up, but honestly, the NFL keeps that stuff locked down until the second the stage rolls out onto the grass.
A few things that might surprise you about this year
This Super Bowl is actually happening right in the middle of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. It’s only the second time the NFL has scheduled the big game during the Olympic window. Because NBC owns the rights to both, expect a lot of cross-promotion. You’re going to see downhill skiing commercials between touchdowns.
Also, the venue. Levi's Stadium is technically in Santa Clara, which is about 40 miles south of San Francisco. If you're traveling there, don't make the mistake of booking a hotel in downtown SF and thinking you can walk to the game. It’s a trek.
Actionable steps for your game day:
- Check your tech on Saturday: If you’re using an antenna, scan for channels 24 hours early. If you’re streaming, make sure your Peacock app is updated.
- Sync your food: Aim for the "main course" to be ready at 6:15 p.m. ET. This gives you time to plate everything before the anthem starts.
- Silence the group chat: If you’re watching on a stream, you might be 30 seconds behind the "live" cable feed. Your friends will text you "TOUCHDOWN!" while your screen still shows the ball at the 20-yard line. Keep your phone face down.
- The "Half-Time" exit: If you only care about the music, set your alarm for 8:10 p.m. ET. You’ll catch the tail end of the second quarter and be ready for the stage reveal.
The game is scheduled for February 8, 2026. Whether you're there for the commercials, Bad Bunny, or the actual football, just make sure you're in front of a screen by 6:30 p.m. ET so you don't miss the flyover.