The National Football League (NFL) and Apple Music announced on October 26 that Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl LXI halftime show on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The performance will air on ABC, ESPN, Disney+, and the ESPN app, with mobile streaming available via NFL+. This marks the second Super Bowl hosted at SoFi Stadium, following Super Bowl LVI in 2022.
Jay-Z, whose full name is Shawn Carter, is a 25-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most influential figures in hip-hop. His career spans over three decades, with landmark albums including Reasonable Doubt (1996), The Blueprint (2001), and The Black Album (2003). He has collaborated with artists such as Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Rihanna, and has expanded into business ventures through Roc Nation, the entertainment company he founded in 2008.
Roc Nation’s Role and Selection Process
Roc Nation has produced the Super Bowl halftime show since 2019, with Jay-Z playing a central role in selecting performers. The company’s partnership with the NFL includes advising on live music entertainment and the Inspire Change social justice initiative, which aims to reduce barriers to opportunity in underserved communities.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated in a release: “For several years, we’ve had the privilege of working closely with Jay-Z and Roc Nation, and I’ve seen the extraordinary impact he has had on the Super Bowl Halftime Show. When we first reached an agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show, I had just one request: that Jay-Z take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him.”
Jay-Z responded in a statement: “From Reasonable Doubt to standing on the Super Bowl Halftime stage, this has been a journey. Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world’s biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true.”
Previous Halftime Performers and Cultural Impact
The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most-watched musical events globally, often drawing over 100 million viewers, surpassing the game’s television ratings. Past headliners have included Beyoncé, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and the Rolling Stones. Last year’s show featured Bad Bunny, who brought Puerto Rican culture to the stage with a performance that won three Primetime Emmy Awards.
The 2022 halftime show at SoFi Stadium was headlined by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, and Anderson .Paak, celebrating West Coast hip-hop. Their medley of hits earned critical acclaim and multiple Emmy wins.
Logistics and Broadcast Details
Super Bowl LXI will take place on Valentine’s Day 2027, with the halftime show produced by Roc Nation and directed by Hamish Hamilton. The event will be broadcast in the U.S. on ABC and ESPN, with streaming available on Disney+ and the ESPN app. International audiences will have access via NFL+ and other global broadcast partners.
Jay-Z’s selection follows his recent 30th-anniversary tour, which included sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium, London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and SoFi Stadium. His return to SoFi Stadium for the halftime show adds another milestone to his legacy.