Who Will Rock the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show? Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and 8 More Big Bets

The football season is not even halfway through, and already speculation is erupting over who will take the stage at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. It is as if it cannot be helped. The moment one artist finishes their 13-minute spectacle, wish lists and debates for next year’s main event begin circulating endlessly like an unstoppable cultural compulsion that no one can resist.

While the season barely started and everyone’s screens are already overheating with predictions, one name from 2025 still looms large, reminding fans how audacity, swagger, and chaos define halftime.

Kendrick Lamar the blueprint for halftime excellence

Kendrick Lamar set the bar so high in 2025 that it nearly distorted reality. With GNX cuts, a crip-walking Serena Williams, and jabs at Drake, the performance evolved into a phenomenal piece of chaos choreography. The emotional shock is still difficult for fans to recover from. There are already rumors that he will return in 2026, and whoever steps onto Levi’s Stadium turf will need to possess the same boldness, swagger, and stage mischief that can cause billions of people to gasp at once if they hope to surpass this.

While Kendrick Lamar redefined halftime theatrics, the question now shifts to: can anyone else out-epic the swagger, or is this the year of reinvention?

Taylor Swift the NFL’s secret cheerleader

Taylor Swift has practically become a part of the NFL’s PR machine over the last two years, showing up in game-day coverage and sky boxes like a highly useful Easter egg. Her 12th album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ will be out on October 3 and features references to Levi’s Stadium carefully interwoven into the podcast breadcrumbs. With every public gesture, she seems to be whispering, “Maybe I belong on the 2026 halftime stage,” despite baking sourdough. ^[1]

While fans decode the breadcrumbs, the next story teases a comeback that could turn absence into the ultimate Super Bowl spectacle.

Justin Bieber the comeback kid

Since taking a break from Ramsay Hunt, Justin Bieber has been playing chess with the world. After four years away from live stages, he surprised fans in July with the drop of ‘Swag.’ With the release of a new album and the arrival of his son, Jack Blues, he is in a prime position to make a spectacular comeback. The halftime show, which combines pop mastery with stage drama and shows that his charm and range are still unmatched, could be the ultimate “I am back” moment.

While Bieber prepares for his comeback, another artist is plotting a halftime stage invasion fueled by past rivalries and chart domination.

Drake the 6 God seeking redemption

Following the Kendrick Lamar feud, Drake made a triumphant comeback in 2025, touring Europe like a rap czar and topping charts. He is technically ideal halftime material with hits like ‘NOKIA’ and ‘What Did I Miss?’ More than just publicity, the Super Bowl stage offers a chance to change the narrative and turn chart dominance into a spectacle for the whole audience. Drake is an unavoidable contender because of his opportunity to regain his position as the industry leader and perhaps even score his 15th No. 1 album in front of millions of people.^[2]

While Drake plots his conquest, a global sensation waits in the wings, ready to transform halftime into a cultural reset that no fan will ignore.

BTS the boy band renaissance

Following their mandatory military service, BTS is returning to the public eye with a 2026 tour and new album. ARMY has the opportunity to witness the live synergy of choreography, emotion, and coordinated fan screams because the timing coincides dangerously well with the Super Bowl. One choreographed step at a time, their set could be both a cultural reset and an Instagram-worthy story of global pop domination thanks to seven voices, three years of hiatus, and endless anticipation.

While ARMY counts down, the next act threatens to rewrite halftime with punk, metal, or genre-bending surprises that challenge all expectations.

Green Day punk revival at Levi’s Stadium

Rock bands are rarely invited to perform at the Super Bowl, so Green Day’s possible appearance would be an exciting exception. Berkeley’s pride can combine football’s ceremonial pageantry with punk rebellion to display hits and stage stamina. The Bay Area location practically cries out for a hometown rebellion, and recent performances such as Coachella and Fire Aid demonstrated that Billie Joe and crew still command enormous energy. Levi’s Stadium might become a punk-style mosh pit disguised as a football field.

While punk and metal stir the imagination, unpredictable collaborations and emotional power moves are lining up to shock the stadium.

Metallica heavy metal halftime fantasy

Think of the Super Bowl at Metallica volume: Levi’s Stadium exploding as ‘Enter Sandman’ lights up the audience. Although rockers have been around before, they have never had the capacity to wreak such sonic havoc. Fans may finally see a mashup of sports, stagecraft, and thrash metal chaos in Dolby surround in 2026, when the halftime show doubles as a cultural earthquake thanks to their hometown roots, legendary live prowess, and catalog of ear-splitting hits.

While classic rock nostalgia hums, the field could host the loudest, heaviest halftime rebellion in history, leaving every other act scrambling.

Post Malone genre-blender supreme

Post Malone thrives on a variety of musical genres, including pop, country, and hip-hop. He has a ready-made lineup of co-stars from his most recent album, ‘F-1 Trillion,’ including Blake Shelton and Morgan Wallen, hinting at a halftime show that might resemble a wild musical crossover show. The NFL might just take a chance on the man’s diverse versatility, which makes him ideal for broad appeal. Posty is still a wildcard who can make headlines and memes, regardless of whether he chooses to perform a stadium sing-along or a genre-bending show.

While genre collisions and emotional highs collide, the next reveal is orchestrated by the ultimate mastermind behind the spectacle.

Jay-Z mastermind behind the curtain

Since 2019, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has controlled halftime, organizing shows while mostly remaining behind the velvet ropes. The 30th anniversary of ‘Reasonable Doubt,’ possible album buzz, and public appearances all suggest that 2026 might be his year of uncontrollable influence. There may be a subtle Roc Nation signature in every production quirk, cameo, and performer selection. While we talk about what that means for music and culture, if halftime is chess, Jay-Z is influencing the spectacle.

While Jay-Z plots every move behind the scenes, the next act could turn the field into a soulful spectacle that makes viewers forget they came for football and remember why halftime matters.

SZA the soulful wildcard

SZA can turn the Super Bowl stage into an emotional kaleidoscope with her ethereal vocals and stage design, which is symbolic of a living Instagram filter. Having already destroyed the stage with Kendrick Lamar, she is experienced at handling the spotlight. Chart-topping songs gain soul and swagger from her, and her ability to infuse them with compassion leaves the audience wondering if they came for football or an unforgettable musical experience. If the NFL is searching for artistic talent with a broad appeal, SZA is the wild card poised to take over the halftime narrative.^[3]

Who do you think deserves the 2026 Super Bowl spotlight? Let us know in the comments below.