If you’re trying to plan a party, book a flight to Santa Clara, or—more importantly—request the following Monday off work, you need to know exactly what day does the super bowl fall on this year.
It is Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Save that date. Circle it in red. Set a reminder.
For the trivia buffs or the folks who feel like the game used to be earlier in the year, you’re not crazy. It was. But things have changed in the NFL, and the "February creep" is now very real. Honestly, finding the right Sunday used to be a lot easier before the league started messing with the schedule length.
Super Bowl LX: Everything You Need to Know for 2026
Super Bowl 60 (or LX for those who still remember their Roman numerals) is landing at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This is the home of the San Francisco 49ers. It's the second time this stadium has hosted the big game—the last one was Super Bowl 50 back in 2016 when Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset with a ring.
Kickoff is officially set for 3:30 p.m. PT.
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That is 6:30 p.m. ET for those on the East Coast. If you're watching from Europe, well, I hope you like espresso, because you’ll be up until about 4:00 a.m.
The 2026 Logistics
- The Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026.
- The Place: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.
- The Network: NBC is handling the broadcast this year.
- The Streaming Home: Peacock.
- The Halftime Show: Bad Bunny is the headliner. Expect a massive production.
Why is the Super Bowl so late in February now?
It basically comes down to the 17-game season.
Back in the day, the Super Bowl usually happened in mid-to-late January. Then it moved to the first Sunday in February. In 2021, the NFL added an 18th week to the regular season (17 games plus a bye). That pushed everything back.
The formula is now pretty simple: the game happens on the second Sunday of February.
But wait, there’s a weird collision this year. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are happening at the exact same time. This creates a massive "Super Season" for NBC, which owns the rights to both. It’s a logistical nightmare for the network but a dream for sports fans who just want to sit on their couch for two weeks straight.
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The "Pro Bowl" Buffer
You might remember the week off before the Super Bowl. That’s still there. The NFL keeps a "bye week" between the Conference Championships and the Super Bowl to let the two teams heal up and to give the media time to talk ourselves into circles.
The Pro Bowl Games are scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, 2026. They're doing them at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. It’s a bit of a departure from the old Sunday afternoon format, basically turning the whole week into a localized festival.
What Day Does the Super Bowl Fall On in Future Years?
If you’re a long-term planner, the NFL has already mapped out a few of these. Usually, they announce the host cities years in advance to give local governments time to figure out how they're going to handle 100,000 extra people.
- Super Bowl LXI (2027): Sunday, February 14. Yes, Valentine's Day. Good luck with those dinner reservations. This one is headed to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
- Super Bowl LXII (2028): Sunday, February 13. This will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
- Super Bowl LXIII (2029): Sunday, February 11. Location TBD, though Nashville is making a huge push with their new stadium.
The pattern is holding steady: second Sunday in February. Unless the NFL decides to add an 18th game (which they probably will eventually), you can bet on this timeframe.
The Evolution of Super Bowl Sunday
It hasn't always been a February holiday.
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Super Bowl I was played on January 15, 1967. For the first 12 years of the game's existence, it never even saw the month of February. It was a January staple. Then, as the league expanded and the playoffs got longer, the date began to drift.
The first February Super Bowl didn't happen until 2002 (Super Bowl XXXVI). That was actually due to the September 11 attacks, which caused the NFL to postpone a week of games and pushed the entire post-season back. People liked the February slot so much—or at least the TV networks did—that it eventually became the permanent home.
Why not Saturday?
Every year, a petition goes around the internet trying to move the Super Bowl to Saturday. The logic is sound: everyone wants to drink beer and eat wings without worrying about a 7:00 a.m. alarm on Monday morning.
But it’s probably not happening.
Sunday night is the highest-rated television window in existence. Advertisers pay $7 million for a 30-second spot because they know families are home and tuned in. Saturday night is for going out; Sunday night is for "event" television. Until that math changes, Sunday is staying put.
Actionable Steps for Super Bowl 2026
If you're planning to actually attend or just host, here is what you need to do right now.
- Check your hotel options in San Jose, not San Francisco. Levi’s Stadium is actually in Santa Clara. If you stay in downtown San Francisco, you’re looking at a 45-to-60-minute commute on a good day. For the Super Bowl? Double it.
- Update your streaming apps. Since NBC has the rights, make sure your Peacock subscription is active or your TV provider login is working on the NBC Sports app.
- Watch the Wild Card results. As of mid-January 2026, the bracket is heating up. The Philadelphia Eagles are the defending champs, but the 49ers and Rams are looking like serious contenders to play in their home state.
- Prep the Monday "Sick" Day. If you work a traditional 9-to-5, February 9 is going to be the least productive day of the year. If you can't get the day off, plan for a "remote" morning.
Super Bowl 60 is going to be a massive cultural moment, especially with the Bad Bunny halftime show and the Olympics overlay. Knowing what day does the super bowl fall on is just the first step. Getting your snacks, your screen, and your Monday morning recovery plan in order is the real work.