If you’re staring at your calendar and wondering exactly when to fire up the grill, you aren't alone. Timing a Super Bowl party is a delicate art. You don't want the wings to get cold before the coin toss, but you definitely don’t want people knocking on your door while you’re still mid-guacamole prep.
The short answer is this: Super Bowl LX is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
But honestly, if you’ve watched even one of these games before, you know "6:30 p.m." is a bit of a loose suggestion. Between the national anthem, the player introductions, and the inevitable flyover, the actual foot-to-ball moment usually happens about 15 to 20 minutes later.
What Time Is the Super Bowl Starting in My Time Zone?
Depending on where you’re sitting, that 6:30 p.m. Eastern start time looks very different. Since the game is being played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, West Coast fans are getting a rare afternoon kickoff.
Here is the breakdown of when the broadcast officially begins across the country:
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
For our friends across the pond or up north, the times get a bit more "early morning." In London, you’re looking at an 11:30 p.m. GMT start. If you’re in Germany or France, it’s a midnight CET kickoff on Monday morning. Better brew a large pot of coffee if you plan on seeing the trophy ceremony.
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In Canada, the timing luckily mirrors the U.S. time zones, so if you’re in Toronto, it’s 6:30 p.m., while Vancouver fans can tune in at 3:30 p.m.
Where to Watch the 2026 Super Bowl
NBC is the home for Super Bowl 60. This is part of the regular rotation between the big networks—CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC/ESPN.
The broadcast team is expected to feature the heavy hitters. Mike Tirico will likely handle play-by-play duties, with Cris Collinsworth providing the analysis. If you prefer your football en Español, Telemundo will have the Spanish-language broadcast.
Streaming has become the go-to for many, and Peacock will be the primary home for the digital feed. If you have a mobile device and an NFL+ subscription, you can also catch the game there. One thing to keep in mind: if you're trying to watch in 4K, Peacock is usually your best bet, though some cable providers might offer an upscaled version on a dedicated channel.
The Bad Bunny Halftime Show and Pregame Details
The NFL made a massive splash by announcing that Bad Bunny will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. It’s a huge moment. He’s the first solo Latin male artist to headline, and considering he’s been the most-streamed artist on the planet multiple times, the production value is going to be through the roof.
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Expect the halftime show to start roughly 90 minutes after kickoff. So, if the game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET, you should be glued to your seat by 8:00 p.m. ET.
The pregame ceremonies are also stacked this year. Charlie Puth is slated to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner." We’ve also got Brandi Carlile performing "America the Beautiful" and Coco Jones singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing." These performances are what usually push that actual kickoff time closer to 6:45 p.m. or 6:50 p.m. ET.
Why Does It Always Start at 6:30 p.m. ET?
It feels like a rule of nature at this point. The NFL has stuck to this window for decades because it’s the "Goldilocks" zone for TV ratings.
It’s late enough for the East Coast to be home from whatever they did that Sunday, but early enough that kids in New York can (theoretically) watch the halftime show before bed. For the West Coast, it’s the perfect late-afternoon anchor for a backyard BBQ.
The league also has to balance the needs of advertisers. With 30-second commercial spots reportedly hitting the $7 million mark for 2026, NBC needs as many eyeballs as possible. A 6:30 p.m. ET start ensures the maximum possible audience is tuned in when the high-budget ads start rolling.
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Practical Advice for Game Day
If you’re hosting, tell people to arrive at least an hour early. The "What time is the Super Bowl?" question usually refers to kickoff, but the pregame hype is half the fun.
Levi’s Stadium is about 45 miles south of San Francisco. Because it’s a West Coast game, the sun will actually be up for the first half. This creates a different vibe than the dome games or East Coast night games we sometimes see.
Pro Tip: If you're using a streaming service like YouTube TV or Peacock, remember there is often a 30-to-60-second delay compared to the "live" cable broadcast. If you’re following the game on social media, you might want to put your phone face down to avoid spoilers from friends whose TV signal is a few seconds faster than yours.
Next Steps for Your Super Bowl Planning:
- Check your local listings for NBC or ensure your Peacock subscription is active at least two days before the game.
- Plan your menu around an 8:00 p.m. ET halftime window if you want the main course to coincide with Bad Bunny’s performance.
- Sync your clocks to the 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) official broadcast start to catch the national anthem and player intros.