The Super Bowl has evolved into far more than just a championship game; it’s a cultural phenomenon, a collision of sports and entertainment that draws a global audience. As preparations ramp up for , set to take place in Santa Clara, California, the NFL is rolling out a robust lineup of musical performances designed to complement the on-field battle between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.
While the game itself will undoubtedly be a focal point for many viewers, the pre-game and halftime shows are increasingly significant draws. This year’s entertainment roster features a diverse array of talent, spanning genres and generations and promises to deliver a memorable experience for those tuning in.
Charlie Puth to Perform the National Anthem
Singer Charlie Puth has been selected to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to kickoff at . This marks the 34-year-old Grammy Award nominee’s first appearance performing at the Super Bowl in any capacity. Puth expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating in an interview with Rolling Stone, “I actually have always wanted to do this, and I recorded a little demo, just me singing with the Rhodes and sent it to Roc Nation. I’ve been told Jay-Z loved it, and it got to [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell and they all said that I could do it.”
Puth’s journey to this stage has been marked by a blend of musical talent and savvy use of digital platforms. Originally from New Jersey, he developed a passion for music early on, studying piano and jazz before attending both the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College and Berklee College of Music, ultimately earning a degree in music production and engineering in 2013. He initially gained recognition through song covers posted on YouTube, including a performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2011 where he covered Adele’s “Someone Like You” with Emily Luther.
Following his appearance on Ellen, Puth worked with DeGeneres’ eleveneleven label, releasing promotional singles and collaborating on various musical projects, including jingles and theme songs. His breakthrough came in 2015 with the release of “Marvin Gaye,” featuring Meghan Trainor. Since then, he has released three albums – including Voicenotes, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical – and is preparing to release a fourth on . He is also known for collaborations such as “See You Again” with Wiz Khalifa, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks, and singles like “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (featuring Selena Gomez), “Attention,” “Light Switch,” and “Left and Right” (featuring Jungkook).
Puth will become the first New Jersey native to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl since Whitney Houston in 1991. He cited Houston’s performance as the gold standard and also mentioned Chris Stapleton’s as among the greatest ever. “I just want to do my own thing with the hardest piece of music ever written,” Puth told Rolling Stone. “And I just wanna show people that I can do it. I feel like people don’t really think of me as, like, a stand-alone vocalist at times.”
A Full Slate of Musical Performances
Beyond the national anthem, the pre-game ceremonies will feature additional performances. Brandi Carlile will perform “America The Beautiful,” and Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The highly anticipated halftime show will be headlined by Bad Bunny.
The NFL has strategically curated this lineup to appeal to a broad demographic, recognizing the Super Bowl’s unique position as a shared cultural experience. The inclusion of artists like Bad Bunny, a global music icon, underscores the league’s commitment to diversity and its desire to connect with audiences worldwide.
The Super Bowl has grown from a simple football game into a massive spectacle over the six decades since the Green Bay Packers’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first championship. With nearly 100 million viewers expected to tune in globally, the event’s blend of sports and entertainment continues to solidify its place as one of the world’s biggest events. The musical performances, alongside the competition between the Patriots and the Seahawks, are poised to make a memorable occasion.
