Getting ready for the biggest Sunday of the year is usually a chaotic mess of Buffalo wings, tracking down that one friend who actually has a 4K TV, and—most importantly—panicking about the clock. Honestly, it’s the same question every single February. What time is the super bowl start? You’d think by now we’d have a universal alarm set, but with time zones and the NFL's love for pre-game pageantry, it’s easy to miss the coin toss while you’re still arguing over the dip.
Let’s be real. If you show up exactly at "start time," you've already missed the flyover.
The Official Kickoff Time for Super Bowl LX
The short answer? 6:30 p.m. ET. If you are on the West Coast, that means you’re looking at a 3:30 p.m. PT start. This year, the game is actually happening in Santa Clara, California, at Levi's Stadium. That’s the home of the 49ers, basically in the heart of Silicon Valley. Because the game is being played out West, the locals get to start their party while the sun is still high in the sky.
Here is the breakdown of the what time is the super bowl start situation across the country:
- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m.
Now, a quick warning. Don't bet your life on the ball being in the air at 6:30:00 p.m. sharp. The NFL is notorious for "TV time." Between the National Anthem (this year featuring Charlie Puth) and the coin toss, the actual foot-to-leather moment usually slides back by about five to eight minutes.
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Where to Watch and Why the Channel Matters
NBC is the home for Super Bowl LX. They’ve got the rights this year, which means you’ll be hearing Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth on the call. If you’re a cord-cutter, your primary destination is Peacock.
Unlike some other years where streaming was a bit of a laggy nightmare, Peacock has been prepping for this heavy traffic. But seriously, if you’re streaming, you are likely 30 seconds behind your neighbor who is watching on cable. You’ll hear them scream about a touchdown while your quarterback is still dropping back in the pocket.
If you want the absolute fastest, most reliable feed, go old school. Plug in a digital antenna. It’s free, it’s high definition, and it’s the closest thing to "real-time" you can get without being in Santa Clara.
The Bad Bunny Factor: Halftime Timing
You aren't just here for the football. Nobody is.
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The halftime show is arguably just as big as the game itself. This year, the NFL went with Bad Bunny. It's a massive move for global reach. Usually, the first half of a Super Bowl takes about 90 minutes of real-world time to play. This assumes there aren't a million reviews or a power outage (remember New Orleans?).
Expect the halftime show to start around 8:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET.
Why Do We Always Get the Start Time Wrong?
The confusion usually stems from the "kickoff" vs. "coverage" distinction. NBC will start broadcasting Super Bowl content basically from the moment you wake up. There are pre-game shows, "Road to the Super Bowl" specials, and interviews with players' middle school teachers.
If you tune in at 2:00 p.m. ET, you'll see football talk. But the actual game? That is strictly reserved for that 6:30 p.m. window.
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Also, consider the international fans. If you’re in London, you’re looking at an 11:30 p.m. start. That is a Monday morning nightmare for most workers in the UK.
The Schedule Flow (Estimated)
- 6:00 p.m. ET: The serious pre-game ceremonies begin. Anthems and "America the Beautiful."
- 6:32 p.m. ET: The actual kickoff.
- 8:10 p.m. ET: Bad Bunny takes the stage.
- 10:00 p.m. ET: The trophy presentation (roughly).
Actionable Tips for Your Game Day
To make sure you actually see the kickoff and don't spend the first quarter troubleshooting your internet, do these three things:
- Test your streaming app at 5:00 p.m. Don't wait until 6:25 to find out your Peacock app needs a 2GB update.
- Sync your clocks. If you're betting on the game or playing "squares," make sure everyone is looking at the same official NFL time.
- The "Anthem" Buffer. If you only care about the game, you can safely tune in at 6:35 p.m. ET and you likely won't have missed a single play.
The game is on February 8, 2026. Mark the calendar. Set your oven for the wings about an hour before kickoff. You'll be fine.
Next Steps for You:
Check your local listings to see if your NBC affiliate is broadcasting in 4K. Most modern Smart TVs have the app built-in, but a physical connection via Ethernet is always safer than Wi-Fi when millions of people are trying to stream the same touchdown at the same time.