Jay-Z has been announced as the Super Bowl LXI halftime show performer, capping a banner year by doing something few artists have: choosing himself to headline one of the world's biggest stages for the first time ever.
In partnership with Jay-Z's entertainment company Roc Nation, Apple Music and the National Football League announced Monday that the Grammy-winning rapper will headline Apple Music Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show, which will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 14, 2027.
The official announcement was made at the start of halftime during Monday Night Football's matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.
Jay-Z took the stage at Roots Picnic on May 30 in Philadelphia.
The big game will air on ESPN, ABC and Disney+ with mobile streaming available through NFL+.
Leading up to the announcement, fans were speculating that Jay-Z could be a strong contender for the halftime show given his banner year.
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Over the prior weekend, Jay-Z wrapped his "Jay-Z 30" concert series with two shows near Los Angeles on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24.
The performances, which took place at the very same SoFi Stadium where he would be putting on a (likely) career-spanning set during the Super Bowl, brought out a Destiny’s Child reunion in the crowd as well as special appearances on stage by John Legend, DJ Khaled, Scarface, Too Short, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and daughter Blue Ivy Carter.
His concert series included three massive hometown shows in New York in July, a two-night stint in London on Sept. 4 and 5 and one night in Paris on Sept. 10.
He also recently debuted his "Jay-Z in 8" HBO documentary series with a star-studded premiere in New York.
This will mark the first time the rap titan will take over the Super Bowl stage, but he's had a hand in the halftime show for years.
Jay-Z at the FIFA World Cup game back in July.
Jay-Z previously turned down halftime headliner slot
In 2019, Jay-Z's company, Roc Nation, was named the NFL's live music entertainment strategist as a part of the NFL’s Inspire Change Initiative. The initiative also focuses on the league’s social justice efforts and was launched following the NFL's controversial treatment of former player Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality during the 2016 season.
Fans may recall that Jay-Z famously turned down the Super Bowl halftime performance back in 2017. He later revealed that decision was based on “principle” when the NFL requested he bring out Kanye West and Rihanna.
Lady Gaga took the stage that year. Since then, Roc Nation is credited with highlighting more diverse musical talent during the Super Bowl.
Wife Beyoncé performed at Super Bowl halftime in 2013, 2016
His wife, Beyoncé, has performed at the Super Bowl twice. She first hit the halftime stage Feb 3. 2013, bringing out fellow Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Beyoncé kicked off the 12-minute performance with an a cappella version of her hit "Love on Top." The show racked up 110.8 million viewers, becoming the second-most-watched Super Bowl in history at that time.
She also graced the Super Bowl stage on Feb. 7, 2016, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, joining Bruno Mars and Coldplay, who headlined the halftime show. Her performance of her hit "Formation" became a notable moment as some politicians and fans described the performance as a statement of Black pride.
Super Bowl halftime show history
The Super Bowl first launched a halftime show with a musical superstar in 1993, when Michael Jackson performed.
Here is every Super Bowl halftime performance since:
