You’ve seen the countdowns. You've heard the office chatter. But honestly, every year it feels like a guessing game until you finally sit down and look at a calendar.
When is the Super Bowl? Super Bowl LX is officially happening on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Forget the days when it was always the first Sunday in February. Since the NFL expanded to a 17-game regular season, the "Big Game" has shifted its weight deeper into the month. If you're trying to plan a party or, better yet, convince your boss you need that Monday off, Feb. 8 is the date you need to circle in red.
Where and what time does kickoff happen?
The game is heading back to the West Coast. Specifically, the San Francisco Bay Area.
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California—home of the San Francisco 49ers—is playing host for the second time. The last time the circus came to this specific patch of grass was Super Bowl 50 back in 2016 (the one where Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset after a defensive masterclass).
If you're watching from your couch, here is the timing breakdown you’ll want to remember:
- Kickoff Time: Roughly 6:30 p.m. ET.
- West Coast Viewers: 3:30 p.m. PT.
- TV Channel: NBC is the home for the 2026 broadcast.
- Streaming: Peacock and the NFL+ app are your go-to spots.
Funny enough, the game is actually falling right in the middle of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. NBC is basically owning the sports world for those two weeks. It's going to be a massive logistical juggle for the network, but for us, it just means a lot of high-quality sports TV in a very short span.
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The halftime show: Bad Bunny takes the stage
There was a lot of noise about who would follow Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 performance. Well, the NFL didn't play it safe. Bad Bunny is the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.
Basically, the world's most-streamed artist is bringing the "World’s Hottest Tour" vibes to Santa Clara.
The NFL confirmed this late in 2025, and the hype has been pretty much floor-to-ceiling ever since. He recently dropped a trailer filmed in Puerto Rico featuring his track “BAILE INOLVIDABLE.” It’s clear the league is leaning hard into the global market.
There are already rumors about guest appearances. Names like J Balvin and Jennifer Lopez are being tossed around in betting circles, though nothing is official until someone actually walks out from under the stage. Honestly, with Benito, you never quite know what you’re going to get, which is half the fun.
Who is actually playing? (The Playoff Picture)
Since it is currently mid-January 2026, the bracket is finally starting to narrow down. We are in the thick of the playoffs, and the road to Santa Clara is looking a bit chaotic.
Right now, the Seattle Seahawks are the betting favorites (+135). They’ve been an absolute juggernaut lately, recently dismantling the 49ers in the Divisional Round with a 41-6 blowout. It’s a bit of a "revenge of the NFC West" story.
On the AFC side, things got weird. The Denver Broncos were looking like the team to beat until quarterback Bo Nix went down with a broken ankle. Now, it’s up to Jarrett Stidham to try and navigate the rest of the postseason. That injury sent their odds sliding to +950, leaving the door wide open for the New England Patriots (+450) and the Houston Texans (+750).
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It’s a strange year. No Kansas City Chiefs dominance to talk about for once. No Mahomes-Kelce fatigue. It feels like anyone's game, which, if we're being real, makes for much better television.
How to watch without a cable cord
If you’ve cut the cord, don't panic. You don't need a traditional cable box to see the game.
NBC has the rights, which means Peacock is the primary streaming destination. If you have a subscription there, you’re golden.
For those who want a more "traditional" feel but online, services like YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV will all carry the NBC feed. Also, if you’re on the move, the NFL+ app usually streams the game to mobile devices, though you can’t always "cast" it to your TV from there due to rights restrictions.
One thing to watch out for: the price of a 30-second commercial has hit a staggering $7 million. Expect the ads to be more cinematic (and probably weirder) than ever before.
What to do if you're actually going to Santa Clara
If you're one of the lucky few (or wealthy few) heading to the Bay Area, be prepared for a trek.
Levi’s Stadium isn't actually in San Francisco. It’s in Santa Clara, which is about 45 miles south of the city. If you stay in downtown SF, you’re looking at a solid hour-plus commute on a good day. On Super Bowl Sunday? It'll be a nightmare.
Most of the "Super Bowl Experience" fan events are happening at the Moscone Center in San Francisco and the San Jose Convention Center.
- Super Bowl Opening Night: Feb. 2 in San Jose.
- Super Bowl Experience: Feb. 3–7 at Moscone Center.
- NFL Honors: Feb. 6 at the Palace of Fine Arts.
The area is also hosting a massive drone show in San Jose's SoFA District and a concert series featuring Chris Stapleton and Sting in the days leading up to the game.
Summary of the essentials
Sometimes you just need the quick hits. Here is the "too long; didn't read" version:
- Date: February 8, 2026
- Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
- Kickoff: ~6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT
- National Anthem: Charlie Puth
- Halftime: Bad Bunny
- Network: NBC / Peacock
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re hosting, start your grocery list for the wings and dip now—specifically looking for the weekend of Feb. 7-8.
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For the bettors, keep a close eye on the AFC injury reports. With the Broncos quarterback situation in flux, the value is shifting toward the Texans and Patriots.
If you are planning to travel to the Bay Area for the festivities, book your hotel in San Jose or Sunnyvale rather than San Francisco to stay closer to the stadium and avoid the brutal 45-mile commute on game day.