You’re standing by the chips and dip, the wings are sizzling in the air fryer, and the living room is a chaotic mess of team jerseys and high expectations. But then it hits you—the one question that somehow manages to stump at least one person every single February: wait, what time does the game actually start?
Honestly, we’ve all been there.
Super Bowl LX is heading to the West Coast this year, which usually throws a wrench into everyone's internal clock. If you’re trying to figure out what time does Super Bowl kickoff happen so you don't miss the national anthem or the first big hit, here is the breakdown you need.
The NFL has officially scheduled kickoff for 6:30 PM ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
If you are currently sitting in California or anywhere in the Pacific Time zone, that means a 3:30 PM PT start. It's an afternoon game for the locals at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, but a prime-time extravaganza for the rest of the country.
The Breakdown: Kickoff by Time Zone
Living in a different part of the world? It gets a bit more complicated than just East vs. West. Here is how it looks across the map:
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- Eastern Time (ET): 6:30 PM
- Central Time (CT): 5:30 PM
- Mountain Time (MT): 4:30 PM
- Pacific Time (PT): 3:30 PM
- UK (GMT): 11:30 PM
- Europe (CET): 12:30 AM (Monday, Feb 9)
Basically, if you're in London or Berlin, you better have some espresso ready. It’s going to be a long night.
Where is the game being played?
Levi’s Stadium is the host this time around. This is the home of the San Francisco 49ers, and it’s the second time the venue has hosted the Big Game. The last time was Super Bowl 50 back in 2016 when Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset with a ring.
The stadium is actually in Santa Clara, which is about 40 miles south of San Francisco. If you're planning on being there in person, give yourself plenty of time. Traffic in the Bay Area on a Sunday is one thing; traffic on Super Bowl Sunday is a whole different beast.
Who is performing at the Halftime Show?
While the players are the main event, let's be real—half the people at your party are only there for the music and the commercials. This year, the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show is being headlined by Bad Bunny.
This is huge. He’s the first solo Latino male artist to headline, and after his record-breaking tours and massive streaming numbers, the expectations are through the roof. Expect a lot of energy, a lot of reggaeton, and probably a few surprise guests that the NFL is keeping under wraps.
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The halftime show usually starts about 90 to 100 minutes after kickoff. So, if the game starts at 6:30 PM ET, you can expect Bad Bunny to take the stage somewhere around 8:15 PM ET.
How to watch and stream Super Bowl LX
NBC has the broadcast rights this year. They’re rotating with CBS and Fox, and 2026 is NBC’s turn to shine. This actually works out perfectly for them because they also have the Winter Olympics and the NBA All-Star Game this month. It’s basically "The Month of NBC."
If you’ve cut the cord, don't worry. You can stream the whole thing on Peacock. It’s also available on NFL+ for those who prefer to watch on a phone or tablet.
For the Spanish-speaking audience, Telemundo will have the full broadcast.
The Pregame Schedule: Don’t Miss the Ceremonies
If you tune in exactly at 6:30 PM, you’re already late. The "kickoff" time is when the foot actually hits the ball, but the pageantry starts way before that.
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The NFL has lined up some heavy hitters for the pregame ceremonies. Charlie Puth is slated to perform the National Anthem. He’s known for those perfect pitch vocals, so expect a fairly traditional, albeit high-production, rendition. Joining the lineup are Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones, who will be handling other pregame musical duties like "America the Beautiful."
Most networks start their official pregame coverage as early as 1:00 PM ET. You’ll see hours of analysis, human-interest stories about the players' moms, and way too many predictions from guys in suits.
What Most People Get Wrong About the End Time
People always ask "when will the game be over?" and the answer is always "later than you think."
A standard NFL game takes about three hours. The Super Bowl? It’s a different animal. Between the extended halftime show (which is twice as long as a regular season halftime) and the $7 million commercials, the game usually stretches to about 3.5 or 4 hours.
Unless there’s overtime—which happened just a couple of years ago—you can expect the trophy presentation to happen around 10:00 PM or 10:30 PM ET.
Actionable Steps for Your Super Bowl Sunday
If you want to actually enjoy the game without stressing over technical glitches or missing the first quarter, follow this checklist:
- Check your signal on Friday. If you use a digital antenna, rescan your channels now to make sure NBC is coming in clear.
- Update your streaming apps. If you're using Peacock or NFL+, make sure the app is updated on your Smart TV or Roku before Sunday morning. Servers get slammed right before kickoff.
- Sync your food prep. Aim to have the main course ready by 6:00 PM ET. This gives you 30 minutes to plate everything and get settled before the National Anthem.
- Silence your group chats. If you’re a few seconds behind on a stream, your friends will spoil touchdowns before you see them.
- Plan for Monday. It’s a late night. If you can, book a "work from home" day or a late start. Your future self will thank you when you're not trying to lead a meeting at 8:00 AM on a "football hangover."
The Super Bowl is more than just a game; it's a cultural reset. Whether you're rooting for a specific team or just here for Bad Bunny and the snacks, knowing what time does Super Bowl start is the first step to not ruining the day. Get your setup ready, grab your favorite drink, and enjoy the show.