Jay-Z Set to Perform at Super Bowl 61 Halftime Show

Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl halftime show next February, marking his first appearance as a solo performer on the event's main stage. The NFL and Apple Music announced the decision on Monday night during a broadcast of the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. This news confirms reports from Puck that cited industry sources regarding the upcoming lineup.

The announcement came via a social media post featuring a black and white video of Jay-Z in the stands with a goat on his lap. The clip played the opening line of his song Public Service Announcement Interlude while text on screen read GOAT's out of the bag. This move shifts Jay-Z from the role of producer to that of primary artist for the 2027 event.

Roc Nation, Jay-Z's entertainment company, has partnered with the NFL to produce the halftime show since 2019. During that time, Jay-Z helped select the artists for the performance. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that he had one specific request when the parties first reached an agreement: that Jay-Z take the stage himself whenever the moment felt right. Goodell expressed excitement for fans to experience the artist's cultural impact on the Super Bowl stage.

Super Bowl 61 is scheduled for Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game and the halftime performance will air on ESPN, ABC, and Disney+, as well as on mobile devices through NFL+. Jay-Z recently concluded his 30 Tour, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut album Reasonable Doubt. His final two shows took place at SoFi Stadium.

Jay-Z stated in a Monday statement that the journey from Reasonable Doubt to the Super Bowl stage has been a dream come true. He noted that thirty years of music, work, and culture are culminating on the world's biggest stage. His wife, Beyonce, joined him for several guest appearances during the 30 Tour, which included stops in Paris, London, and New York City. It is not yet clear if Beyonce or other collaborators will make cameos during the Super Bowl performance.

Past halftime shows have featured various formats, with some artists like The Weeknd and Rihanna performing solo, while others brought on major stars. Last year, Bad Bunny headlined the event with cameos from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. That performance won seven Creative Arts Emmys, making it the most awarded halftime show in history. Bad Bunny received his first Emmy for the appearance, while Jay-Z, who served as a producer, received his third. Kendrick Lamar also won an Emmy after headlining the 2025 show. Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of music and international content, said fans can expect an incredible show from Jay-Z, whose impact on global music culture is profound.