You're sitting there. The chips are getting soggy. You’ve already finished your first drink, and the "pre-game" coverage has been droning on for four hours. You just want to know what time does Super Bowl LIX start so you can actually time the wings. Honestly, it’s the same story every February. The NFL says one thing, the TV networks do another, and your hungry guests are staring at an empty coffee table by the time the coin toss actually happens.
In 2025, Super Bowl LIX is scheduled to kick off at approximately 6:30 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Sunday, February 9.
But here’s the thing. "Kickoff" is a loose term in New Orleans this year. While the official broadcast starts much earlier, the ball usually doesn't meet the toe until 6:34 or 6:35 PM. If you're on the West Coast, you're looking at 3:30 PM. Mountain time? 4:30 PM. Central? 5:30 PM. It sounds simple, but the logistics behind that specific minute are actually kind of insane.
The 6:30 PM Myth: What Actually Happens
Most people think 6:30 PM means the game starts. It doesn't. That is the window for the national anthem, the flyover, and the inevitable montage of players looking intense in slow motion. If you care about the actual football and not the spectacle, you can usually squeeze in another ten minutes of conversation before the first drive.
The NFL is meticulous. Every second is sold to advertisers for millions of dollars—literally about $7 million for a 30-second spot—so they aren't going to rush the start. They need that tension. They need you seated.
👉 See also: Why the Southern CA Surf Report Always Seems to Lie to You
Regional Timing Breakdown
Wait. If you’re traveling or hosting people from out of state, don't mess this up.
- Eastern: 6:30 PM
- Central: 5:30 PM
- Mountain: 4:30 PM
- Pacific: 3:30 PM
If you are outside the U.S., it gets weird. Fans in London are looking at an 11:30 PM start, which basically means they’re watching the trophy presentation while eating breakfast. In Tokyo? You’re looking at Monday morning. It’s a global event, but it’s timed strictly for the American prime-time television market.
Why New Orleans Changes the Vibe
This year the game is at the Caesars Superdome. It’s the 11th time New Orleans has hosted, tying it with Miami for the most ever. Why does this matter for the timing? Because the Superdome is a fixed-roof stadium.
Weather won't delay the kickoff.
In outdoor stadiums, like when they played in New Jersey years ago, there’s always that 1% chance a blizzard or torrential rain messes with the pre-game ceremony. In New Orleans, the environment is controlled. This means the 6:30 PM ET start time is about as firm as it gets in the world of live broadcasting.
The Halfway Point: When Is the Halftime Show?
If you’re only tuning in for the music—which, let's be real, half the party usually is—the timing is a moving target. Since a standard NFL quarter takes about 40 minutes of real-time to play, the halftime show usually starts around 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM ET.
It’s not like a regular season game.
During the regular season, halftime is 12 minutes. For the Super Bowl? It’s roughly 30 minutes. They have to wheel out a massive stage, set up pyrotechnics, let a global superstar perform, and then tear the whole thing down without ruining the turf for the second half. It’s a logistical miracle performed by hundreds of stagehands in yellow vests. If the first half is high-scoring with lots of penalties and incomplete passes (which stop the clock), don't expect the music to start until closer to 8:30 PM.
✨ Don't miss: Updates on Morice Norris: Why the Lions Safety Still Matters in 2026
Streaming vs. Cable: The "Spoiler" Delay
This is a huge deal now. If you are asking what time does the Super Bowl start because you're planning to stream it on a service like Paramount+ or a live TV streamer like YouTube TV, you are on a delay.
Usually, it's about 30 to 45 seconds.
Imagine this: your neighbor is watching on old-school cable or an over-the-air antenna. They scream. You’re still watching a 3rd-and-long play. You know what happened before you see it. If you want the most "live" experience possible, an HD antenna is actually your best bet. It’s faster than fiber-optic internet because the signal doesn't have to be "packaged" for the web.
Avoiding the Pre-Game Burnout
The biggest mistake people make is turning on the TV at 1:00 PM.
The networks (FOX, CBS, or NBC depending on the year) fill the afternoon with human interest stories. You’ll hear about a quarterback's high school coach. You’ll see a segment on the best po-boys in New Orleans. It’s fluff. Unless you are a die-hard who needs every stat, the "sweet spot" to tune in is 6:00 PM ET. That gives you enough time to see the player introductions and the coin toss without feeling like you’ve spent your entire Sunday listening to pundits talk in circles.
🔗 Read more: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Schedule: How to Catch Every Game This Winter
A Quick Word on the Coin Toss
Did you know the coin toss has become one of the most popular prop bets in Vegas? It happens around 6:25 PM ET. It sounds silly, but millions of dollars ride on heads or tails. It’s the first "event" of the game, and it’s usually performed by a Hall of Famer or a local hero.
The Finish Line: When Does It End?
Most Super Bowls wrap up around 10:00 PM to 10:15 PM ET.
If the game goes into overtime—which has happened, looking at you, Falcons and Patriots—you could be looking at 11:00 PM. But generally, plan for about three and a half to four hours of total airtime. The trophy presentation (the "Lombardi Trophy" ceremony) happens immediately after, usually on a podium in the middle of the field.
Actionable Strategy for Super Bowl Sunday
To make sure you actually enjoy the game instead of stressing about the clock, follow these specific steps:
- Set your "Food Ready" time for 6:10 PM ET. This ensures everything is hot when the national anthem starts, and people can plate their food before the actual game begins.
- Check your input. If you are streaming, stay off Twitter or X. The delay will ruin the big plays for you.
- The "Halftime Buffer." If you need to run to the store or walk the dog, do it the moment the second quarter ends. You have 30 minutes. You won't miss the kickoff of the third quarter if you're quick.
- The Antenna Hack. If your Wi-Fi is spotty, go buy a $20 digital antenna today. It’s the most reliable way to get the game in 4K or 1080p without the buffering wheel of death.
The game is the main event, but the clock is the real master of ceremonies. Respect the 6:30 PM ET window, but don't expect the ball to fly until the clock hits 6:34. New Orleans is ready. Your couch is ready. Now you know exactly when to be there.