Search icon

Entertainment

31st Jan 2021

Who’s performing Super Bowl halftime this year and when is it? Everything you need to know

James Fenton

Whoever signed up to perform at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show would have had a massive task on their hands to outdo Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s set from last year.

In February 2020, when the world was just beginning to learn about the threat of Covid-19, a packed out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami witnessed one of the most talked-about Super Bowl halftime shows of all time. J-Lo and Shakira banged out 20 hits between them in 12 minutes as millions tuned in around the world, or caught up the next day in the case of Ireland, where most of us had already put our heads down for the night.

Even on these shores though, the Super Bowl remains an annual draw despite the NFL showpiece’s late hour. Each year, people pack out pubs to watch the game unfold, although that sadly won’t be possible this year. Aside from the actual game, the Super Bowl halftime show is always one of the main talking points and this is what you can expect this year.

Who’s performing at the Super Bowl halftime show this year?

In November, it was confirmed that Canadian musician The Weeknd will perform at the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show. It will be interesting to see if he can match the energy of last year’s pairing but with a string of hits including I Can’t Feel My Face and 2020’s massively popular Blinding Lights, he should have enough in his catalogue to make a decent effort at it.

When is the Super Bowl this year?

The 55th Super Bowl will take place at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, February 7 2021. The game will begin around 11.30pm Irish time.

Okay but what time is the Super Bowl halftime show?

It’s often hard to estimate but you’re probably looking at The Weekend taking to the stage somewhere around the 1.15am – 1.30am mark.

How can I watch it?

Coverage will begin at 11pm on BBC 2 before switching to BBC One at 11.30pm.

Who’s even playing?

The Weeknd… haven’t we been over that?

No, like… in the actual game.

Oh. Super Bowl LV will be contested between defending champions Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s being billed as a battle between star quarterbacks Tom Brady of the Bucs (who has won the showpiece six times as a New England Patriot) and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs who is currently the highest-paid athlete in the world.

Mahomes signed a 10-year contract back in July that’s said to be worth $503 million. Not a bad chunk of change for a 25-year-old.

Cool, so it’ll be on pretty late. Can I catch up on the Super Bowl halftime show the next day?

Either hit record or wait for The Weeknd’s performance to be uploaded to YouTube the next day.

READ NEXT: Cabu Cabins is the perfect place for a staycation when things get back to normal

Topics: