You’re staring at the clock, the wings are getting cold, and you’re wondering if you actually have time to run to the store for more ice. It happens every single year. We all know the game is on Sunday, but the actual time of Super Bowl kickoff is often treated like a state secret until you’re frantically Googling it with a drink in your hand.
Honestly, the NFL keeps it remarkably consistent, yet the confusion persists. For Super Bowl LX, which lands on February 8, 2026, the official kickoff is slated for 6:30 PM ET. If you’re on the West Coast, that’s a mid-afternoon 3:30 PM start.
But here’s the thing: "Kickoff" is a loose term in the world of network television.
The 6:30 PM Myth: When the Ball Actually Flies
If you tune in exactly at 6:30 PM ET, you aren’t going to see a kickoff. You’re going to see a lot of slow-motion montages. You’ll see the national anthem (performed this year by Charlie Puth) and the coin toss. Usually, the actual foot-to-ball contact happens closer to 6:38 PM or 6:40 PM.
NBC is handling the broadcast this time around. They’ve got a massive window to fill, and they aren't going to rush the pageantry.
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Time Zone Breakdown
Don't be the person who shows up an hour late because you forgot you aren't in New York.
- Eastern Time: 6:30 PM
- Central Time: 5:30 PM
- Mountain Time: 4:30 PM
- Pacific Time: 3:30 PM
If you're watching from London, you're looking at an 11:30 PM start. It’s a long night.
Why the Venue Changes the Vibe
This year, the circus heads to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. It’s the home of the 49ers, sitting about 40 miles south of San Francisco. Because the game is in California, the local kickoff is 3:30 PM.
This creates a weird transition for the fans in the stands. The game starts in the bright, late-afternoon sun and ends under the stadium lights. For those of us watching at home on the East Coast, it’s dark before the first commercial break.
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The Bad Bunny Factor: Halftime Timing
You can't talk about the time of Super Bowl kickoff without planning for the halftime show. It’s the biggest concert in the world, and this year, Bad Bunny is the headliner.
A standard NFL halftime is 12 minutes. The Super Bowl is a different beast. It usually lasts about 30 minutes because of the sheer logistics of moving a massive stage onto a grass field without ruining it.
If kickoff is at 6:30 PM, expect Bad Bunny to take the stage somewhere between 8:15 PM and 8:30 PM ET. If the first half is full of penalties and reviews, it could push closer to 8:45 PM.
Where to Watch Without Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you have options, but they aren't all created equal. Peacock is the primary streaming home for the NBC broadcast. It’s the most stable way to watch if you don’t have a digital antenna.
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You can also find it on:
- YouTube TV (Best for reliability)
- Hulu + Live TV
- FuboTV
- NFL+ (But watch out—this is usually restricted to mobile devices like phones or tablets)
One thing to keep in mind: Streaming services usually have a 30-to-60 second delay compared to the "live" cable broadcast. If your neighbors start screaming, you might want to put your phone away to avoid spoilers.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pre-Game
NBC starts their "official" pre-game coverage around 1:00 PM ET. That is over five hours of talking heads and human interest stories. Unless you are a die-hard fan who needs to know what the third-string long snapper ate for breakfast, you can probably skip the early stuff.
The real "must-watch" pre-game ceremonies—the flyover, the player introductions, and the anthem—start around 6:00 PM ET.
Actionable Strategy for Gameday
- Sync your clocks: If you’re hosting, tell people 6:00 PM ET. This gives them time to get settled before the actual time of Super Bowl kickoff.
- The 9:00 PM Rule: Most Super Bowls wrap up around 10:00 PM or 10:15 PM ET. If it goes to overtime (like Super Bowl LVIII did), you’re looking at a 10:45 PM finish. Plan your Monday morning accordingly.
- Food Prep: Get the hot food out by 6:15 PM. Once that ball is in the air, no one wants to be stuck in the kitchen during the first quarter.
Check your local listings one last time on the morning of the 8th, just in case of any last-minute network shifts, though they almost never happen. Enjoy the game.