If you’re trying to figure out what weekend is super bowl 2026, you aren’t alone. The NFL calendar has been a moving target lately. Ever since the league tacked on that 17th regular-season game a few years back, everything shifted. The old "first Sunday in February" rule? Gone. Tossed out like a bad challenge flag.
The Big Date: Mark Your Calendar
So, here is the deal. Super Bowl LX (that's 60 for those of us who struggle with Roman numerals) is happening on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
It’s basically the second weekend of the month. If you are planning a party or trying to book a flight to California, that is the date you need to circle in red. The game is being played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, which is the home of the San Francisco 49ers.
Santa Clara is technically about 40 miles south of San Francisco, but the whole "Bay Area" is going to be absolutely crawling with fans. Honestly, if you don't have a hotel room yet, you might already be looking at a long commute from a Motel 6 in the East Bay.
💡 You might also like: Larry Bird Boston Celtics: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Date Keeps Changing
For decades, we knew exactly when the game was. Then 2021 happened. The NFL expanded the season, and suddenly the Super Bowl got shoved back a week.
Now, we almost always land on the second Sunday of February. This creates a weird overlap sometimes. In 2026, the Super Bowl actually falls right in the middle of the Winter Olympics in Milan. It’s a massive month for sports fans, but a nightmare for anyone's data plan.
What Time Does the Coin Toss Happen?
The NFL loves a 6:30 PM ET kickoff. It’s basically tradition at this point.
If you’re on the West Coast—where the game is actually being played—that means a 3:30 PM PT start. It's kinda nice because you can watch the whole game and still be in bed by 8:00 PM. But if you're on the East Coast, get ready for a late night. Between the endless commercials and the halftime spectacle, these games rarely wrap up before 10:15 PM or 10:30 PM.
The Halftime Show: Who Is Taking the Stage?
This is usually what people care about more than the actual score. For 2026, the NFL has tapped Bad Bunny to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.
It’s a huge move. He’s the first Latin male artist to headline solo. Considering the massive Latin American community in California, the energy in that stadium is going to be unreal. We’ve seen Kendrick Lamar and Usher kill it recently, so the bar is high. Expect a lot of guest stars and probably enough pyrotechnics to be seen from space.
The Whole Week Is an Event
Most people ask "what weekend is super bowl," but the reality is that the NFL treats this like a ten-day holiday.
The festivities actually start the Monday before. You’ve got Opening Night on February 2nd at the San Jose Convention Center. This is where the players sit at podiums and answer weird questions from reporters dressed in superhero costumes. It's chaos.
Then you have the Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, February 3rd. They moved them to the Tuesday before the Super Bowl this year, which is a big change from the usual Sunday slot. They’ll be at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
👉 See also: How Old Is Diogo Jota: The Legacy of Liverpool’s Number 20
Key Events Leading Up to Sunday:
- Thursday, Feb 5: The NFL Honors. This is the awards show where they name the MVP. Jon Hamm is hosting this year at the Palace of Fine Arts.
- Friday, Feb 6: "The One Party" by Uber. Usually, the most exclusive ticket in town.
- Saturday, Feb 7: Taste of the NFL. It’s basically a high-end food festival with retired players. If you like eating $50 sliders next to a former linebacker, this is your vibe.
- Saturday Night: SI The Party and the Maxim Party. These are the "see and be seen" events. The Chainsmokers and Ludacris are usually involved in some capacity.
What to Expect if You're Going
If you are actually heading to Santa Clara, bring a jacket. People think California is always hot, but February in the Bay Area is chilly and often damp. Levi’s Stadium is an open-air venue.
Also, the traffic. I cannot stress this enough. Highway 101 and I-880 become parking lots during Super Bowl weekend. If you’re staying in downtown San Francisco and think you can just "zip over" to the stadium for kickoff, you are in for a rude awakening. Give yourself at least two or three hours to get down there.
How to Watch From Home
If you aren't dropping $5,000 on a ticket, you'll be watching on NBC. They have the broadcast rights this year.
You can also stream it on Peacock or the NFL+ app. Mike Tirico will likely be on the call with Cris Collinsworth. Whether you love or hate Collinsworth's "Now here's a guy" commentary, he’s a staple of the Super Bowl experience at this point.
✨ Don't miss: St Andrews Links Collegiate 2024: What TV Cameras Missed on the Old Course
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Now that you know the date, here is what you should actually do:
- Book Your AirBNB Now: Seriously. Prices triple the closer we get to February. Look in San Jose or Sunnyvale if San Francisco is too expensive.
- Plan Your Food Menu Early: If you're hosting, remember that chicken wing prices spike about 40% in the week leading up to the game. Buy frozen early if you want to save a buck.
- Check Your TV Settings: Ensure your streaming apps are updated. There is nothing worse than your TV starting a 15-minute update at 6:28 PM.
- Download the NFL OnePass App: If you are in the Bay Area, you need this for the "Super Bowl Experience" fan fest. It’s basically a football theme park and it’s actually pretty fun for kids.
The Super Bowl is more than just a game; it's a massive cultural moment that stops the country for a day. Knowing what weekend is super bowl is just the first step in surviving the madness. Whether you are there for the touchdowns, the commercials, or just the guacamole, February 8, 2026, is the day to remember.