JAY-Z is set to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show, officially stepping into the spotlight after helping produce and curate performances in past years. The performance will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 14, 2027. Apple Music, the NFL, and Roc Nation jointly made the announcement.
In a statement reflecting on his decades-long career, JAY-Z emphasized this show marks a new chapter—moving from behind-the-scenes work to commanding one of music’s biggest stages. To build anticipation, Apple Music is launching “JAY-Z’s Road to Halftime,” a season-long series featuring exclusive content tied to the performance, including programming and experiences created with the NFL.
How we got here
Apple Music first became the title sponsor of the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2022. Their debut came with Rihanna as the performer, followed by Usher in 2023, Kendrick Lamar in 2025, and Bad Bunny in 2026. All of those years, JAY-Z played a role behind the scenes, helping produce or guide the spectacles that had increasingly leaned into a blend of culture, music diversity, and theatricality.
What to expect
The Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show will be available to watch across ESPN, ABC, and Disney+. Those preferring mobile streaming can tune in via NFL+. Jesse-language options include Spanish broadcasts on ESPN Deportes, Disney+, and a separate presentation on Univision.
This evolution isn’t just about a headline act—it’s a broader statement about music, branding, and culture. Apple, Roc Nation, and the NFL are continuing to build a bridge between music and tech, with exclusive content to amplify engagement beyond the performance night.
What does it mean that Apple Music’s name is now synonymous not just with sponsorship but true creative authority? It underscores streaming platforms’ growing influence as not just distributors of content, but curators and creators—groups that shape culture in real time. For JAY-Z, it’s the culmination of thirty years of work in music, and for the halftime show, a turning point in how big performances are conceived. As we look ahead to February, the story won’t simply be who’s performing, but how the performance itself is shaped by this mix of music, media, and cultural power.
