You’re staring at the calendar, checking the guest list, and wondering if you have enough wings for three hours—or four, if the game goes to overtime like it did in Vegas. The question of when is kickoff for the Super Bowl is the only thing that matters once February rolls around. For Super Bowl LX, the NFL is heading back to the West Coast, which always makes the timing feel a little funky for those of us used to East Coast prime time.
Honestly, the "official" time and the "actual" time are two different animals. The NFL likes its pageantry. You’ve got the national anthem, the flyover, the coin toss, and about twenty minutes of commercials before a foot actually touches a ball. If you're trying to time your pizza delivery, you need to be precise.
The Official Super Bowl LX Kickoff Time
The NFL has locked in the details for the 2026 championship. Kickoff for the Super Bowl is officially scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Because the game is being played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the local kickoff is actually 3:30 p.m. PT. If you are watching from the Mountain Time zone, set your clock for 4:30 p.m., and Central Time viewers should be ready by 5:30 p.m.
Levi’s Stadium isn't new to this. It hosted Super Bowl 50 back in 2016 when Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset. The Bay Area vibe usually means a lot of sun for the first half of the game before the stadium lights take over.
Why the 6:30 Start Time Matters
The league sticks to this 6:30 p.m. Eastern window because it’s the "Goldilocks" of sports broadcasting. It's late enough for the West Coast to be awake and home from errands, but early enough that East Coast kids might actually see the halftime show before they have to go to bed for school on Monday.
NBC is handling the broadcast this year. They’re bringing in the heavy hitters: Mike Tirico on play-by-play and Cris Collinsworth in the booth. If you’re a streamer, Peacock is your home base, but don’t forget that a simple digital antenna can pull the NBC signal for free if you’re within range of a local affiliate.
Pre-Game Ceremonies: When to Actually Sit Down
If you sit down at exactly 6:30 p.m., you’ve already missed the best parts of the buildup. The "pre-game" starts hours earlier, but the real meat happens in the final thirty minutes.
For 2026, the entertainment lineup is already buzzing. Charlie Puth is set to handle "The Star-Spangled Banner." We also have Brandi Carlile singing "America the Beautiful" and Coco Jones performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Usually, the National Anthem starts around 6:12 p.m. ET. The coin toss happens shortly after, involving some NFL legends—likely some 49ers greats since they’re the host team. If you want to see the flyover and the introductions, you basically need to be in your seat by 6:00 p.m. ET.
The Halftime Show and Second Half Timing
When people ask when is kickoff for the Super Bowl, they’re often really asking when the halftime show starts. Since the game clock is unpredictable, there isn't a fixed "start time" for the music, but we can do some math.
A standard NFL quarter takes about 40 minutes of real time. That puts the end of the second quarter around 8:00 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. ET.
Bad Bunny Takes the Stage
This year, the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show features Bad Bunny. Given his massive global reach, expect a set that feels more like a stadium concert than a 15-minute intermission.
The halftime break in the Super Bowl is twice as long as a regular-season game. While a normal Sunday game gives players 12 minutes, the Super Bowl gives them nearly 30. This accounts for the massive stage being wheeled out and taken down. You can expect the second half kickoff to happen somewhere around 8:45 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. ET.
Where to Watch and Stream
You have more options than ever, but that also makes it sorta confusing. NBC holds the rights this year as part of the rotating four-network deal between CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC/ESPN.
- Over-the-Air: Use an HD antenna for NBC. It’s free and usually has the lowest lag.
- Cable/Satellite: Tune to your local NBC affiliate or Telemundo for the Spanish broadcast.
- Streaming: Peacock is the primary home. You can also use services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo—though check your local listings as carriage disputes sometimes pop up.
- Mobile: The NFL+ app allows you to watch on phones and tablets, though they usually restrict casting to big screens.
Technical Details and Common Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong is the "actual" kickoff. The referee doesn't blow the whistle at 6:30:00. Usually, the ball is in the air by 6:38 p.m. ET. Those extra eight minutes are filled with last-second commercials and the final hype package.
🔗 Read more: Passing Yards Per Game 2024: Why the Stats Look Weird
Also, keep in mind the 2026 Winter Olympics are happening in Milan and Cortina around the same time. NBC is juggling both, which is why you’ll see a massive amount of Olympic promotion during the game.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check your signal: If you’re using an antenna, do a channel scan today to make sure NBC comes in clear. Don't wait until Sunday afternoon.
- Peacock Login: If you're streaming, log in and update the app a day early. There is nothing worse than a "forced update" screen at 6:25 p.m.
- Time the Food: Aim for your main spread to be ready by 6:00 p.m. ET. This gives people time to load their plates before the National Anthem and ensures nobody is in the kitchen when the ball is kicked.
- Sync the Audio: If you’re watching with friends in different houses while on a group chat, the antenna signal is usually 10-30 seconds ahead of the stream. Warn the "streamers" so you don't spoil a touchdown.