The Exact Moment: What Time Does The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Start On February 9, 2025?
As of December 23, 2025, the most anticipated question for Super Bowl LIX (59) viewers is not just who will win, but precisely when the musical spectacle will begin. The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show is a global event, and while the game itself has a fixed kickoff time, the start of the performance is a calculated estimate based on the unique pace of the NFL’s biggest night.
The definitive answer for the 2025 Halftime Show is that the performance, headlined by rap megastar Kendrick Lamar with a confirmed guest appearance by SZA, is projected to begin between 8:15 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 9, 2025. This window accounts for the average length of the first half of the Super Bowl, which is significantly longer than a standard NFL game due to increased commercial breaks and stoppages of play.
Super Bowl LIX: The Essential Game Day Details
To accurately predict the start of the Halftime Show, you must first know the core schedule of the game itself. Super Bowl LIX is a monumental event taking place in a city famous for its entertainment and celebratory atmosphere: New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Event: Super Bowl LIX (59)
- Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
- Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Official Kickoff Time (ET): 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
- Local Kickoff Time (CST): 5:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST)
- National Broadcast: FOX will be the official network broadcasting the game
The 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff is the crucial starting point for all time calculations. While the actual kick often occurs a few minutes after the official start time due to pre-game formalities, this is the time to tune in for the start of the action between the AFC and NFC champions, which in this case, was a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, seeing the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Halftime Show Time Calculation: Why It's Always An Estimate
Unlike a concert with a fixed start time, the Super Bowl Halftime Show is entirely dependent on the elapsed time of the first two quarters of the football game. While a standard NFL game has a 12-minute halftime break, the Super Bowl extends this dramatically to accommodate the massive production required for the musical performance, often stretching the break to 30 minutes or more.
The First Half Timeline Breakdown
The first half of an NFL game consists of two 15-minute quarters, totaling 30 minutes of actual play time. However, the clock stops frequently for incomplete passes, out-of-bounds plays, penalties, timeouts, and, most significantly, television commercial breaks. Because the Super Bowl is the most expensive commercial airtime of the year, these breaks are longer and more frequent, slowing the pace of the game.
Here is the typical timeline for the first half of the Super Bowl:
- Start of Game (Kickoff): ~6:30 p.m. ET
- First Quarter Duration: Approximately 40–45 minutes of elapsed time.
- Second Quarter Duration: Approximately 40–45 minutes of elapsed time.
- End of First Half: The first half usually concludes around 8:00 p.m. ET to 8:15 p.m. ET.
The Halftime Show performance itself typically begins approximately 15 minutes after the players leave the field. This buffer time is necessary for the massive stage and sound equipment to be rolled onto the field of the Caesars Superdome by the hundreds of field staff. Therefore, the safest time to be glued to your screen to catch Kendrick Lamar and SZA is the window between 8:15 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA: A Halftime Show of Hip-Hop and R&B Royalty
The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, sponsored by Apple Music, is set to be a historic performance, cementing the NFL’s commitment to featuring diverse and globally influential artists. The official announcement, made in September 2024 by the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation, confirmed that Compton-born rapper Kendrick Lamar would headline the event.
Lamar is one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful artists of his generation, known for his intricate lyricism and powerful stage presence. His selection follows a string of legendary hip-hop and R&B performers, including Usher, Rihanna, and a previous hip-hop ensemble featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Lamar himself at Super Bowl LVI.
Adding to the star power, it was later revealed that Grammy-winning R&B sensation SZA would join Lamar as a guest performer. The pairing of the two artists, both known for their profound impact on contemporary music, suggests a setlist that will span multiple genres and eras of modern music. The inclusion of such high-caliber talent ensures that the 2025 Halftime Show will be a major cultural moment, attracting viewers who may not even be football fans.
Halftime Performance Duration and Broadcast Details
The actual performance by Kendrick Lamar and SZA is expected to last approximately 13 to 15 minutes. While the performance is short, the entire Halftime Show segment, from the moment the teams leave the field to the moment they return for the second half, can span 45 to 60 minutes. This extended break allows for the massive logistical undertaking of setting up and tearing down the stage.
For viewers outside of the Eastern Time Zone, here is the estimated Halftime Show start time window:
- Pacific Time (PT): 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT
- Central Time (CT/CST): 7:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT
- Mountain Time (MT): 6:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. MT
To avoid missing any part of the spectacle, it is highly recommended to tune into FOX’s broadcast coverage well before the estimated start time. Pregame coverage begins hours before kickoff, and the second quarter of the game is when the anticipation truly builds, offering the best chance to catch the countdown to the performance by Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
Topical Authority: Why Super Bowl Timing is Unique
Understanding the Super Bowl's timing requires recognizing its difference from a regular season game. The average NFL game lasts about 3 hours and 12 minutes. However, the Super Bowl consistently runs longer, with the average duration over the past two decades being closer to 3 hours and 40 minutes. This extended length is almost entirely due to the number of commercial breaks and the extended Halftime Show.
The extended duration of the Halftime Show is not just for the performance; it is a critical window for the NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music to execute one of the most complex live television productions in the world. The speed at which the field crew transforms a football field into a concert stage and back is a feat of logistical genius that contributes to the overall mystique of the event.
For fans planning their Super Bowl LIX parties, remember that the game will likely conclude around 10:00 p.m. ET to 10:30 p.m. ET, barring any overtime. The Halftime Show is the midpoint, the spectacular pause in the action, and the guaranteed highlight for millions of non-football viewers.
In summary, while the official clock is unpredictable, securing your viewing spot between 8:15 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET on February 9, 2025, is the definitive strategy to witness Kendrick Lamar and SZA's historic performance at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
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