Pairing the world’s biggest artists with the most-watched football game of the year is a formula for spectacle. The final score of a Super Bowl can fade from memory, but the halftime show? That lingers for years.
Ask almost anyone what they remember about certain Super Bowls, and chances are they won’t mention a touchdown or a field goal. They’ll remember Prince singing “Purple Rain” as real rain poured down in Miami. They’ll remember Katy Perry and the now-legendary Left Shark. They’ll remember Rihanna revealing her pregnancy mid-performance. Or The Weeknd wandering through a surreal, maze-like stage.
And in recent years, more people have watched the halftime show than the game itself.
That’s not an exaggeration. Viewership numbers for the halftime performance have repeatedly rivaled—or surpassed—the broadcast of the matchup. What started as a simple intermission has become a global pop culture moment, carefully produced, politically charged at times, and almost always unforgettable.
From Marching Bands to Megastars
When the first Super Bowl took place in 1967, the halftime show looked nothing like today’s spectacle. It featured marching bands, balloons, and novelty stunts. It was filler. Few people paid attention.
Through the 1970s and 1980s, productions grew larger, with choreographed performances and ensemble groups like Up with People trying to energize crowds. But it wasn’t until one artist changed everything that the NFL realized halftime could be more than background noise.
The Michael Jackson Turning Point
In 1993, Michael Jackson stepped onto the field and stood silently for nearly 90 seconds before launching into a medley of hits. The effect was electric. Ratings during halftime spiked higher than the game itself.
From that moment on, the NFL understood something critical: halftime could compete with any television programming. It could become an event people tuned in specifically to watch.
And that changed the strategy forever.
Bigger Stages, Bigger Budgets, Bigger Statements
Over time, halftime evolved into a cinematic production. Massive sets. Drones. Pyrotechnics. Elaborate choreography. Carefully planned camera work rehearsed for days before the game.
In 2019, the NFL partnered with Roc Nation, led by Jay-Z, to help curate the artists. Since then, the halftime show has felt more intentional, more culturally relevant, and sometimes more controversial.
Controversy is nothing new here. From the infamous 2004 moment involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, to political statements from artists like Eminem and Jennifer Lopez, the halftime stage has often reflected what’s happening outside the stadium as much as inside it.
When Music, Politics, and Sports Collide
This year’s show featuring Bad Bunny adds another layer to that tradition. As the first Latin male artist to headline the show, his selection alone marks a milestone. But his outspoken stance on immigration issues, combined with public debate around event security, has turned the halftime conversation into something far bigger than music.
It’s a reminder that the halftime show is no longer just entertainment—it’s a platform. One that artists use to express identity, culture, and sometimes protest.
And the NFL, for better or worse, knows this tension draws attention.
Why the Halftime Show Often Outshines the Game?
There’s something uniquely powerful about compressing the world’s biggest artists into a 12-minute window, broadcast to over 100 million viewers. The scale is unmatched. The pressure is enormous. The potential for a legendary moment is always there.
Even people who don’t care about football tune in.
Even fans of teams not playing will watch.
The halftime show has become a cultural checkpoint, something that defines a year in pop music history.
A Cinematic Spectacle by Design
Behind the scenes, crews rehearse for days to ensure every camera angle, lighting cue, and performer movement is flawless. It’s filmed like a live movie, with technology that has advanced dramatically in the past decade. Watching from the couch feels more like watching a concert film than a sports broadcast.
That polish is intentional. The NFL understands that for millions of viewers, this is the main event.
The Evolution Continues
From marching bands to Michael Jackson. From Prince in the rain to Rihanna on a floating platform. From meme-worthy dancers to politically charged performances.
The halftime show has evolved into something that stands alongside the Super Bowl, not beneath it.
And every year, the question isn’t just who will win the game.
It’s who will own those 12 minutes at halftime.
