Jay-Z to Perform at 2027 Super Bowl LXI Halftime

Jay-Z has secured the headline slot for the 2027 Apple Music Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show, marking the first time he will perform on the league's main stage since 2019. The announcement came during a Monday Night Football broadcast on ABC, where the game featured the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles. Commentator Scott Van Pelt confirmed the news to viewers, stating that the performance will take place at SoFi Stadium on Valentine's Day. Analyst Jason Kelce joined the broadcast to praise the selection, noting that Jay-Z possesses more stadium-ready hits than most artists have songs in total.

The rapper, who has 25 Grammy Awards to his name, addressed the news in a statement describing the moment as the culmination of a thirty-year journey. He referenced his debut album Reasonable Doubt and called the opportunity a dream come true. His wife, Beyoncé, is also part of the roster of past headliners, joining a list that includes Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Bruno Mars. The 2026 halftime show was performed by Bad Bunny, who won an Emmy for his set at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. His 13-minute performance included tracks such as Tití Me Preguntó and Eoo, ending with a message on stadium screens that read, The only thing more powerful than hate is love.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league had worked closely with Jay-Z and his company, Roc Nation, for several years. Goodell stated that when the production agreement was first reached, he asked that Jay-Z take the stage himself when the moment felt right. Apple's vice president of music, Oliver Schusser, also commented on the partnership, saying the company has worked with Jay-Z for the last few years to bring artists to the halftime stage. Schusser expressed excitement that Jay-Z would now be the one performing. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro added that the performance will be a milestone in a career synonymous with success, noting the league's plans to showcase the set across ESPN, ABC, and Disney+ platforms.

The 2027 game is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The venue is home to the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. The broadcast will air on ABC and ESPN. Puck was the first outlet to report that Jay-Z had been named the headliner. The decision follows a production deal between the NFL and Roc Nation that began in 2019 and was renewed in 2024. Under that agreement, Roc Nation curates the halftime show and consults with the league on entertainment offerings. The partnership also includes work on the NFL's Inspire Change initiative to strengthen community through music.

The relationship between the NFL and Jay-Z has a complex history. The league brought Roc Nation on board after the 2016 protests led by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick was effectively forced out of the NFL for his stances on police brutality and systemic racism. Jay-Z initially supported Kaepernick but later aligned with the league to revitalize its brand. In a September 2026 interview with NBC News, Kaepernick noted the irony of Jay-Z's new role. He said the NFL had blackballed him and that players and owners in 2017 discussed using a Black face to help remove protests from the game.

The 2027 event will be the first time Jay-Z headlines the show since the league began working with his company. The halftime show is a major component of the Super Bowl broadcast, which draws a global audience. The production team at Roc Nation has handled the event's creative direction for the past several years. The 2026 performance by Bad Bunny set a recent tone for the event, blending musical hits with narrative elements and celebrity cameos. The 2027 show will be produced by Roc Nation for the NFL and Apple Music.