If you’re trying to figure out what time is superbowl kickoff 2025, you've probably realized that "official" times and "actual" times are two very different things in the world of the NFL. It’s the same every year. The league says one thing, the broadcasters say another, and the ball actually flies through the air whenever the TV producers decide the pre-game hype has reached a fever pitch.
Honestly, nobody wants to be the person still hovering over the seven-layer dip when the game actually starts.
For Super Bowl LIX, the big dance is heading to New Orleans. It’s a milestone year—the record-tying 11th time the city has hosted and the 8th time inside the legendary Caesars Superdome. If you’re planning your Sunday around it, here is the breakdown of the timing, the channel, and why that "6:30" number you see everywhere is kinda a lie.
What Time is Superbowl Kickoff 2025? (The Real Window)
The official broadcast for Super Bowl LIX starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
But wait.
If you've watched a game before, you know they don't actually kick the ball at 6:30:00. That’s when the "official" window opens. Between the National Anthem, the coin toss, and the final round of commercials, the actual what time is superbowl kickoff 2025 is traditionally closer to 6:40 p.m. ET.
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Depending on where you are sitting, that translates to:
- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m. (Kickoff ~6:40 p.m.)
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m. (Kickoff ~5:40 p.m.)
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m. (Kickoff ~4:40 p.m.)
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m. (Kickoff ~3:40 p.m.)
Basically, if you aren't in front of a screen by 6:25 p.m. ET, you're risking missing the flyover and the opening toss.
Why the 2025 Date Matters
The game falls on February 9. This is actually a bit of a scheduling win for the city of New Orleans. See, the NFL originally wanted the game to be a week earlier, but that would have crashed head-first into the peak of Mardi Gras season. Can you imagine? Trying to host the Super Bowl and a city-wide parade festival at the same time would have been total chaos for the local police and hotel capacity. By pushing the season back to a 17-game schedule, the NFL inadvertently saved the New Orleans hospitality industry from a massive logistics nightmare.
Where to Watch: Fox, Tom Brady, and Streaming
This year, Fox has the keys to the kingdom. It’s their 11th time broadcasting the Super Bowl, which is a pretty big deal in the sports media world. But the real story isn't the network—it’s the booth.
This is the first Super Bowl where Tom Brady will be in the headset as the lead color analyst. He’s joined by Kevin Burkhardt. Love him or hate him, people are going to tune in just to see if the seven-time champ can talk about the game as well as he played it.
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If you don’t have cable:
You aren’t out of luck. Fox is doing something a bit different this year by heavily leaning into Tubi. They are streaming the game in 4K for free on the platform. You can also find it on:
- The Fox Sports App (you’ll need a login usually)
- Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV
- NFL+ (for mobile devices)
Spanish-language viewers can catch the action on Fox Deportes or Telemundo, which is a nice touch for those who prefer the high-energy commentary of the Spanish broadcast teams.
The Kendrick Lamar Halftime Show Timing
Look, half the people at your party probably don't care about the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles. They are there for the music.
The halftime show is notoriously difficult to pin down to a specific minute because it depends entirely on the game flow. If there are a lot of penalties or a long injury timeout, everything shifts. However, usually, the second quarter wraps up about 90 minutes to two hours after kickoff.
Expect Kendrick Lamar to take the stage somewhere around 8:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET.
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The "Not Like Us" rapper is the solo headliner this year, though rumors are already swirling about SZA making a guest appearance. Since the game is in New Orleans, there was a lot of local drama about Lil Wayne not getting the nod, so the energy in the building is going to be... interesting, to say the least.
Who is Playing? The Rematch
It’s a "New Orleans Showdown" featuring a rematch of Super Bowl LVII: the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s Patrick Mahomes vs. Jalen Hurts. Again.
The Chiefs are chasing that elusive three-peat, something that has never been done in the Super Bowl era. Meanwhile, the Eagles are looking for revenge after that heartbreaking 38-35 loss in Arizona a couple of years back. Experts like those at ESPN and Pro Football Focus have pointed to the Eagles' revamped secondary as the X-factor this time around.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to actually enjoy the game instead of troubleshooting your Wi-Fi while the National Anthem is playing, do these three things:
- Test the App Now: If you are streaming via Tubi or the Fox Sports app, log in today. Don't wait until 6:20 p.m. on Sunday when the servers are getting hammered by 100 million people.
- Sync Your Clock: If you’re betting on the game or playing "squares," remember that the official kickoff time is rarely the actual kickoff time. Give yourself a 15-minute buffer.
- Check Your Resolution: If you have a 4K TV, make sure your streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, etc.) actually supports the 4K feed on Tubi. Some older sticks won't show the higher resolution.
The Super Bowl is more than just a game; it's a massive logistical machine. Now that you know what time is superbowl kickoff 2025, all you really have to worry about is making sure you don't run out of wings before the third quarter.