Jay-Z to Headline 128 Million Viewers at Super Bowl LXI
The rapper will perform at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 14, 2027, following a seven-year partnership with the NFL.
By Kwame Silva ·
The artist who has spent seven years producing the NFL's halftime entertainment is now stepping onto the stage himself. Jay-Z will serve as the featured performer for Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced the decision on Monday night.
The league projects the event will draw a massive audience. Bad Bunny's halftime show last February averaged 128.2 million viewers between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m. ET. That performance ranked as the fourth most watched in history, trailing only Kendrick Lamar, Michael Jackson, and Usher.
Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that his only condition for the partnership with Roc Nation was that Jay-Z perform when the timing felt appropriate. "From 'Reasonable Doubt' to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey," Jay-Z said in a statement. "Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world's biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true."
The performer has a recent history with the venue. He closed the 30th anniversary tour for his 1996 debut album, 'Reasonable Doubt,' at SoFi Stadium this past weekend. The tour included sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium, London, and Paris. During the Inglewood concerts, his daughter Blue Ivy played piano on tracks such as 'The Story of O.J.' and 'Dead Presidents.' Guests including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Too $hort appeared on the final night.
Roc Nation will executive produce the halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton serving as director. The company has advised on NFL entertainment presentations since 2019. At the start of that partnership, Jay-Z told Goodell, "If this is about me performing at the Super Bowl, then we can just end this conversation now."
Born Shawn Carter, the rapper has won 25 Grammy Awards and received 89 nominations. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. His catalog includes albums such as 'The Blueprint' and 'The Black Album.' The Super Bowl LXI broadcast will air on ESPN and ABC and stream on Disney+.
