10 Artists Who Could Play the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show

Would Roc Nation bring Lady Gaga back to the Super Bowl just nine years after she first headlined it in 2017? Maybe not — the Super Bowl has yet to have a repeat lone headliner, though Bruno Mars and Beyoncé had both topped the marquee in the prior half-decade when they all but co-headlined with Coldplay in 2016. If a repeat headliner is deemed a real option, Gaga would be a logical choice: Her first SB set was well-received, she’s remained at or near the forefront of pop culture since, and she’s proven with gigs this year like her highly acclaimed Coachella headlining set and her record-setting Brazil show that she can handle a high-profile live assignment as well as anybody. — ANDREW UNTERBERGER

Among active pop artists who have never played Super Bowl halftime, Mariah Carey is very arguably the most accomplished hitmaker — and if she’s still active in promoting her upcoming Here for It All album by then, there would certainly be plenty of motivation on her part. Perhaps Roc Nation will have its eyes on Carey’s career-spanning Video Vanguard performance at the VMAs on Sept. 7  — and on its subsequent reception — to see if Mimi might be a good fit for the world’s most-watched gig this February. — A.U.

It’s been nearly three years since Bieber performed a full live set in the wake of his battle with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome in 2022, which led to partial facial paralysis and the cancellation of the remainder of his Justice world tour in March 2023. But following the surprise drop of his R&B-leaning Swag album in July and a slow re-emergence from several years of seclusion to deal with the medical issues and spend time with his newborn son, one-year-old Jack Blues Bieber, the halftime show seems like a most excellent place to stage his full re-emergence and remind people of his dynamic live abilities. — GIL KAUFMAN

After notching his 14th Billboard 200 chart-topper with $ome $exy $ongs 4 U and blitzing Europe with his Some Special Shows 4 U Tour, Drake reasserted his grip on rap supremacy this year. Despite his 2024 feud with Kendrick Lamar, the 6 God reclaimed his momentum with “NOKIA” and “What Did I Miss?” — both peaking at No. 2 on the Hot 100 — and proved why he’s still a dominant name. With Iceman on deck, Drake is chasing history as the first solo rapper to score 15 Billboard 200 No. 1 albums, and what better place to celebrate than halftime at the Super Bowl? — CARL LAMARRE

The world is anxiously anticipating the live return of the Bangtan Boys. Now that all seven members of BTS have completed their mandatory South Korean military service, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook are setting the stage for their re-emergence from a more than three-year hiatus. RM recently assured ARMY that he’s been “working diligently” on what the band is planning for its next album and tour, both set for next year. Though no specific details have been announced yet about the comeback, all seven hopped on a livestream in June to announce, “we’ll be releasing a new BTS album in the spring of next year,” which seems like perfect timing to tee it up at February’s Super Bowl. — G.K.

Rock bands have been relatively scarce on the Super Bowl stage in recent years — none have headlined halftime since Maroon 5 in 2019 (also the year that Roc Nation took over planning the event). Still, the Super Bowl being in the Bay Area next year might provide a good opportunity for Berkeley natives Green Day to break that streak: The pop-punk heroes certainly have the hits and the recognizability, and as recent gigs like their Coachella headlining set and their show-opening, Billie Eilish-featuring gig at Fire Aid have demonstrated, they have the endurance and relevance as well. — A.U.

The Super Bowl halftime has certainly featured rockers before, including The Who and Bruce Springsteen, but it’s never gone as hard as it would go if it unleashed Metallica on the Santa Clara crowd. But it makes so much sense to have the Bay Area boys finally get their shot. They’re hometown favorites, their live show is unparalleled, and it’s been a long time since the half-time show has rocked people’s faces off. Start with “Enter Sandman,” throw in some “Master of Puppets,” “Seek & Destroy” and “2X4” and they could practically ignite Levi’s Stadium. Let’s face it, it’s a long shot, but wouldn’t it be amazing? — MELINDA NEWMAN

He may not want to perform if his beloved Dallas Cowboys aren’t playing (and pre-season projections don’t look good), but Posty is the perfect broad-appeal superstar to headline half-time. Not only does he have a slew of solo hits that span several different genres from hip-hop to pop to country, but his most recent set, F-1 Trillion, provides him with a ready-made cast of co-stars to bring out from Morgan Wallen (“I Had Some Help”) to Blake Shelton (“Pour Me a Drink”) to Jelly Roll — though the NFL probably doesn’t want the half-time entertainment raising its glass to the “Losers!” — M.N.

Jay’s Roc Nation has been overseeing the Super Bowl Halftime Show since 2019 — the two sides re-upped and extended the partnership in 2024 — and since then, Jay has had an outsized role in selecting the performers each year. During the Roc’s tenure, the performers have noticeably shifted in accordance with Jay’s tastes and business relationships: Jennifer Lopez and Shakira; The Weeknd; Dr. Dre and friends; Rihanna; Usher; and Kendrick Lamar have all performed, while Jay himself has kept to the sidelines.

But a few things are aligning this year. One is that Jay has started to make a few more public appearances than in recent years, most notably stepping out onstage with Beyoncé in Atlanta to perform “Crazy In Love” in July. Another is the persistent rumor of a new Jay album, one which reignited earlier this month with a Memphis Bleek podcast appearance. But maybe the biggest clue is nostalgic: next year would mark the 30th anniversary of Jay’s 1996 debut album Reasonable Doubt, a certified classic that Jay has said in the past is his favorite among his oeuvre. And if he is the ultimate decision maker, then what better time than now? — DAN RYS

Swift has become the NFL’s number one cheerleader over the past two years. The singer’s high-profile romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has seen her become a staple of game day coverage thanks to her nearly weekly appearances in the Kelce family sky box with her famous friends. With her 12th album due out on Oct. 3, Swift seeded what seemed to be super major Easter eggs during her recent New Heights podcast debut, noting that while she wasn’t a football fan growing up, she knew “every halftime show” even if she didn’t watch any games.

She also happened to mention that one of her new favorite hobbies is making sourdough bread, notable because “Sourdough Sam” is the name of the Levi’s Stadium home team, the San Francisco 49ers, and because the next Super Bowl is the 60th, the same percentage the Taylor used to describe her high level of bread talk lately. A coincidence? C’mon, you know there are no coincidences in SwiftLand! — G.K.