The Super Bowl gets a special celebration this year. The NFL created an expanded opening ceremony to honor 60 years of championship history. Green Day will headline this historic moment at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Bay Area punk rock legends will perform their biggest hits while past Super Bowl MVP winners take the field. Fans worldwide can watch it live on NBC and streaming platforms before kickoff on February 8, 2026.
What Is the Super Bowl Opening Ceremony?
The opening ceremony celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl. The NFL designed this special event to honor six decades of championship football. It happens before the regular pregame entertainment and national anthem.
Green Day will perform a rock concert on the field. During their set, past Super Bowl MVP winners will walk onto the field. This tribute honors the legends who shaped professional football. The ceremony runs separately from the halftime show and pregame performances.
Why the Super Bowl 2026 Opening Ceremony Is Historic
Super Bowl LX marks a major milestone. The championship game turns 60 years old in 2026. The NFL expanded its traditional pregame festivities with this dedicated opening ceremony to mark the occasion.
Green Day brings a perfect hometown connection. The band formed in the East Bay area near Levi’s Stadium. Billie Joe Armstrong said they feel “super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard.” The band will welcome the MVPs who shaped the game and perform for fans worldwide.
The ceremony honors every player who won Super Bowl MVP over the past 60 years. These athletes represent the greatest performances in championship history. Bringing them together creates a special moment for football fans.
Super Bowl 2026 Opening Ceremony Start Time
The opening ceremony begins on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Here are the start times for all US time zones:
- 3:00 PM PT (Pacific Time – West Coast)
- 4:00 PM MT (Mountain Time)
- 5:00 PM CT (Central Time)
- 6:00 PM ET (Eastern Time – East Coast)
This starts 30 minutes before kickoff. The actual Super Bowl game begins at 3:30 PM PT / 4:30 PM MT / 5:30 PM CT / 6:30 PM ET. Fans should turn on their TVs early to catch the full celebration. The ceremony leads directly into the pregame entertainment with Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones.
Super Bowl 2026 Opening Ceremony Performers
Green Day headlines the opening ceremony. The punk rock trio consists of Billie Joe Armstrong on lead vocals and guitar, Mike Dirnt on bass and Tré Cool on drums. They have won four Grammy Awards during their career.
The band will play a selection of their most famous rock anthems. Their catalog includes massive hits like “Basket Case,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “American Idiot,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).” The NFL has not announced the exact setlist yet.
Tim Tubito is the NFL’s senior director of event and game presentation. He explained the choice: “Celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history with Green Day as a hometown band, while honoring the NFL Legends who’ve helped define this sport is an incredibly powerful way to kick off Super Bowl LX.”
Generations of Super Bowl MVPs also appear during the ceremony. These championship heroes will walk onto the field during Green Day’s performance. The band will usher them in with their high-energy music.
How to Watch & Streaming Super Bowl 2026 Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony airs live on several networks and streaming platforms:
TV Broadcast:
- NBC (main English broadcast)
- Telemundo (Spanish broadcast)
- Universo
Streaming Options:
- Peacock (NBC’s streaming service)
- NBC Sports app
- Telemundo app
Peacock offers the easiest streaming option for cord-cutters. The service costs $8.99 per month for the ad-supported plan or $13.99 per month for ad-free. You can watch on phones, tablets, computers and smart TVs.
All broadcasts start at the same time: 3:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM MT / 5:00 PM CT / 6:00 PM ET. The coverage continues through kickoff and the entire game. Bad Bunny performs the halftime show later in the evening.
Super Bowl MVP Tribute – What to Expect
The MVP tribute honors past Super Bowl MVP winners from 60 years of championship history. Each year one player wins the Pete Rozelle Trophy for being the game’s most valuable player. These athletes delivered the greatest performances in championship history.
Green Day will provide the soundtrack as these legends take the field. The band’s rock anthems will play while the MVPs walk out in front of 70,000 fans at Levi’s Stadium. This creates a powerful moment connecting past and present.
The NFL has not released a complete list of which MVPs will attend. Some past winners include Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. The tribute spans six decades of football excellence.
Full Super Bowl 2026 Opening Ceremony Schedule
Here’s the complete timeline for all Super Bowl LX entertainment:
| Time (PT/ET) | Event | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 PM / 6:00 PM | Opening Ceremony & MVP Tribute | Green Day |
| Following Opening | National Anthem | Charlie Puth |
| Following Anthem | “America the Beautiful” | Brandi Carlile |
| Following Beautiful | “Lift Every Voice and Sing” | Coco Jones |
| 3:30 PM / 6:30 PM | Game Kickoff | TBD |
| Halftime | Halftime Show | Bad Bunny |
The Conference Championship games happen on January 25, 2026. The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC title game. The New England Patriots visit the Denver Broncos for the AFC championship. Winners advance to Super Bowl LX.
Do You Need a Ticket to Watch the Opening Ceremony?
You do not need a ticket to watch the opening ceremony on TV or streaming. NBC, Peacock, Telemundo and Universo all broadcast it for free or with a basic subscription.
Peacock requires a paid subscription starting at $8.99 per month. NBC and Telemundo are free with a TV antenna or cable package. This makes the ceremony accessible to millions of viewers at home.
Fans attending the game in person will see the opening ceremony live at Levi’s Stadium. Super Bowl tickets include access to all pregame entertainment. Ticket prices on the NFL’s official hospitality provider On Location start around $7,100 per person.
The ceremony happens on the field before kickoff. Stadium gates typically open several hours before game time. Attendees should arrive early to find their seats and catch the full experience.
How Long Is the Super Bowl Opening Ceremony?
The NFL has not announced an exact duration for the opening ceremony. Based on typical stadium performances expect it to last 10 to 15 minutes.
Green Day will perform a medley of their hits rather than full-length songs. The MVP tribute happens during the performance. This keeps the ceremony energetic and fast-paced without delaying kickoff.
The entire pregame schedule from opening ceremony through the national anthem takes about 30 minutes. NBC’s coverage starts even earlier with analysis and features. Fans who want the complete experience should tune in at 3:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM ET.
Super Bowl 2026 Opening Ceremony FAQs
Who is performing at the Super Bowl 2026 opening ceremony?
Green Day headlines the opening ceremony. The punk rock band will perform their biggest hits while Super Bowl MVPs walk onto the field.
What time does the Super Bowl opening ceremony start?
The ceremony begins at 3:00 PM Pacific / 4:00 PM Mountain / 5:00 PM Central / 6:00 PM Eastern on February 8, 2026.
Is the opening ceremony the same as the halftime show?
No. The opening ceremony happens before kickoff. Bad Bunny performs the halftime show during the break between the second and third quarters.
Can I watch the opening ceremony without cable?
Yes. Stream it live on Peacock, the NBC Sports app or the Telemundo app. Peacock costs $8.99 per month.
What songs will Green Day play?
The NFL has not announced the exact setlist. Expect hits like “Basket Case,” “American Idiot,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “Wake Me Up When September Ends.”
How many Super Bowl MVPs will be honored?
The ceremony honors MVP winners from the first 59 Super Bowls. The NFL has not confirmed how many will attend in person.
The Super Bowl 2026 opening ceremony starts at 3:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. Tune in early to catch Green Day’s historic performance celebrating 60 years of championship football at Levi’s Stadium.
