Jay-Z Will Headline Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show in 2027

Jay-Z will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show on Feb. 14, 2027 — his first time performing at the event despite producing it since 2019.

Apple Music, the NFL and Roc Nation confirmed the booking on Oct. 27, after Puck first reported the rapper was set to take the stage. Super Bowl 61 will be played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and air on ESPN, ABC, Disney+ and NFL+ on mobile devices. ESPN Deportes and Disney+ will carry a Spanish-language telecast, with a separate Spanish-language presentation on Univision.

Why has it taken this long?

Jay-Z owns Roc Nation, which has produced the halftime show in partnership with the NFL since 2019, with Apple Music as sponsor. He has stayed behind the scenes the entire run. Hamish Hamilton will direct the 2027 show, and Roc Nation will serve as strategic entertainment advisor for the live performance.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the headline slot was part of the plan from the start. "When we first reached an agreement with Roc Nation to produce the show, I had just one request: that Jay-Z take the stage himself one day, whenever the moment felt right to him," Goodell said in a statement. "I couldn't be more excited for fans around the world to experience the artistry, creativity, and cultural impact he will bring to the Super Bowl stage."

What does the booking mean for Apple Music?

Apple gets a rare artist to anchor its biggest sponsorship asset. Leading up to the game, Apple Music will roll out exclusive content, season-long programming and experiences built with the NFL under a "Jay-Z Road to Halftime" hub.

"Jay-Z's impact on global music culture is as profound as it is undeniable," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of music and international content. "We've had the privilege of working closely with him these last few years to bring some of the world's most exciting and prolific artists to the Super Bowl Halftime Show stage, and we are so thrilled that he will be taking that stage himself this year. We know it's going to be an incredible show."

How big is the platform?

The numbers from last year set the bar. Bad Bunny's Puerto Rico-inspired performance from Levi's Stadium in San Francisco drew 4.157 billion views in 24 hours across global broadcasts, YouTube and social platforms, according to Apple Music, the NFL and Roc Nation.

Jay-Z brings his own weight. He was the first hip-hop artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, holds four Emmy wins and 25 Grammy wins. This year marks the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. His last studio album, 4:44, came out in 2017.

"From Reasonable Doubt to standing on the Super Bowl Halftime stage, this has been a journey," Jay-Z said in a statement. "Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world's biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true."

The takeaway is simple: after eight years producing the world's biggest music stage, Jay-Z finally performs on it — and every party involved says the moment was planned from day one.