Jay-Z to Take the Stage for Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show

Jay-Z will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show on Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The announcement was made during halftime of the Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 27, 2026. ABC commentator Scott Van Pelt broke the news on air, stating that fans could expect to see the rapper perform in SoFi on Valentine's Day.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league has worked closely with Jay-Z and Roc Nation for several years. Goodell noted that his initial request when reaching an agreement with Roc Nation was for Jay-Z to take the stage personally. The NFL and Roc Nation began their partnership in 2019, a deal that was renewed in 2024. Under this agreement, Roc Nation curates the halftime show and helps the league strengthen its community presence through music and its Inspire Change initiative.

Jay-Z joins a list of previous headliners that includes his wife Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, and Kendrick Lamar. He follows Bad Bunny, who performed at Super Bowl LX in February 2026. Bad Bunny’s 13-minute set in Santa Clara featured hits such as “Tití Me Preguntó” and “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” ending with a message of unity on the stadium screens.

Apple Music executive Oliver Schusser said in a statement that the company has worked with Jay-Z for the last few years to bring major artists to the stage. Schusser expressed excitement that Jay-Z would now take the stage himself. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro added that Jay-Z has set a standard of excellence as a winner of 25 Grammy Awards. Pitaro said ESPN, ABC, and Disney+ will broadcast the halftime set.

Jay-Z said in a statement that his career has been a journey from his early albums to the Super Bowl stage. He described the opportunity as a dream come true after thirty years of music and culture. The performance will be his first as a headliner since becoming the face of the show through Roc Nation.

The selection has drawn attention given Jay-Z’s history with the NFL. Former 49ers player Colin Kaepernick, who was effectively forced out of the league for protesting police brutality, initially supported Jay-Z. However, the two later fell out after Jay-Z was brought in to help revitalize the league’s brand. Kaepernick told NBC News in September 2026 that the NFL had blackballed him and used Jay-Z’s alignment to help get rid of the protests.

The game and show are scheduled to air on ABC and ESPN. The event will take place on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027, at the stadium that serves as the home for the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers.