You're standing by the chips. The dip is looking a little questionable after sitting out for two hours, but you don't care because the energy in the room is finally hitting that fever pitch. Then someone asks the inevitable question: "Wait, what time the super bowl actually start?"
Half the room says 6:00. The other half swears it’s 6:30. Someone in the corner is checking a betting app. Honestly, it's the same dance every single year, and yet we still act surprised when the national anthem takes twenty minutes and the coin toss feels like a cinematic masterpiece.
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The short answer for Super Bowl LX
If you’re looking for the hard data for 2026, here it is. Super Bowl LX (Super Bowl 60) kicks off at 6:30 PM ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026. If you're on the West Coast, that’s 3:30 PM PT. Mountain time? 4:30 PM. Central? 5:30 PM.
The game is happening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. That’s the home of the 49ers, and since it’s a West Coast game, the stadium will likely be bathed in that weird, golden California sunset for the first quarter. It’s a vibe. But don't let the local time fool you. The NFL runs on a very strict, very corporate Eastern Time schedule for the sake of the advertisers.
Why the "Official" time is a bit of a lie
You’ve probably noticed that when the clock hits 6:30 PM ET, the ball isn't usually in the air. There is a "start time" and then there is "kickoff."
The broadcast starts way earlier. NBC (this year's official broadcaster) will likely have pre-game coverage starting as early as noon. But the actual 6:30 PM slot is more of a "tune in now or you'll miss the flyover" kind of deal. Usually, the foot hits the ball around 6:38 PM ET. Those eight minutes are filled with the final player introductions, the toss, and the last-second commercials that companies paid $7 million to air.
Where to watch (and how to stream without lag)
Since we’re in 2026, the way we watch has shifted slightly, though the big players remain the same. NBC has the rights this year. They’re rotating with CBS, FOX, and ABC/ESPN on that massive 11-year deal the league signed a while back.
- TV: Your local NBC affiliate.
- Spanish Language: Telemundo.
- Streaming: Peacock is the primary home for this.
- Mobile: The NFL+ app.
A quick tip: if you’re streaming on Peacock, you are going to be about 30 to 45 seconds behind the "live" cable broadcast. If your friends are texting you about a fumble before you see it on your screen, turn off your notifications. There is nothing worse than having a game-changing play spoiled by a vibrating phone in your pocket.
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The Bad Bunny effect and halftime timing
People don't just ask about what time the super bowl starts because they love football. A huge chunk of the 100+ million viewers are there for the Apple Music Halftime Show.
This year, Bad Bunny is headlining. It’s a massive deal—the first time a Latin male solo artist is taking that specific center stage. Because the game starts at 6:30 PM ET, you can generally expect the halftime show to begin between 8:00 PM and 8:15 PM ET.
Football games are unpredictable, sure. But the Super Bowl is a choreographed machine. The first half usually takes about 90 minutes. If there are a ton of incomplete passes or injuries, it might push to 8:30 PM, but the NFL tries to keep halftime anchored to that 8 o'clock window to capture the maximum number of viewers before the kids go to bed on the East Coast.
Who else is showing up?
The rumor mill is already spinning. Since Bad Bunny is the king of collaborations, people are looking at Cardi B or maybe even a surprise appearance by someone like Charlie Puth, who is already confirmed to be performing the National Anthem. J Balvin already went on record saying he won't be there—he wants "his boy" to own the stage alone—but in the world of the NFL, "no" usually means "maybe if the check is big enough."
Why February 8th is a weird day for the NFL
You might have realized that the Super Bowl feels later than it used to. It is.
When the NFL moved to a 17-game regular season, it pushed the championship game deeper into February. This year, Super Bowl LX actually overlaps with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. NBC is basically the center of the universe this month because they own both. Expect a lot of "synergy." You’ll probably see Olympic skiers doing promos during the third quarter. It’s going to be a lot of sports to digest in one weekend.
Things that could actually delay kickoff
While the 6:30 PM ET start is practically written in stone, a few things have historically messed with the flow.
- The National Anthem: If the performer decides to go "full Whitney" and hold those notes, it can add two or three minutes to the pre-game.
- Technical Issues: Remember the "Blackout Bowl" in New Orleans? Probably not happening in the high-tech Levi's Stadium, but hey, it's live TV.
- The Coin Toss: Specifically, the ceremony involving veterans or former MVPs. For Super Bowl 60, the NFL is expected to bring out a massive group of past legends to celebrate the "diamond" anniversary of the game. That takes time.
Practical steps for your Super Bowl Sunday
If you're hosting, you need to work backward from that 6:30 PM ET mark.
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First, get your TV settings right. NBC is expected to broadcast in 1080p HDR, with some providers offering an upscaled 4K feed. If you have a 4K TV, check if your provider (like YouTube TV or Xfinity) requires a specific "4K Plus" package to see the extra detail. It makes a difference when you're trying to see if a toe was actually on the line.
Second, if you're using an antenna—which is honestly the best way to get a zero-lag signal—scan your channels on Saturday. Don't wait until 6:15 PM on Sunday to find out your signal is blocked by a new apartment building down the street.
Lastly, plan the food for 6:00 PM ET. People start grazing early. If the wings aren't out by the time Charlie Puth starts singing the anthem, you’re going to have a mutiny on your hands.
Make sure you have the Peacock app updated or your antenna plugged in by 6:00 PM ET on February 8 to catch the full spectacle before the 6:30 PM kickoff.