One week ago, we heard the rumor that Jay-Z had chosen himself as next year’s Super Bowl Halftime headliner. Now it’s been confirmed – Jay-Z is really doing it. Jay-Z and Roc Nation have been “the deciders” for the Halftime show for the past seven years, and there’s been a conversation about when or if Jay-Z would choose himself. I actually think it’s cool that he waited until he was ready for this, and if you look back on what he’s been doing in the past year, it feels like he was building towards this moment.
The wait is over, football and music lovers! The halftime show performer for Super Bowl LXI is finally here. On Monday, Oct. 23, Jay-Z — who is the NFL’s “live music entertainment strategist” — was announced as the performer for the highly anticipated halftime show.
Roc Nation and Apple Music announced the news during ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. An announcement was also published on Roc Nation’s Instagram page. “GOAT’s out of the bag,” the caption read, alongside a clip of Jay-Z sitting in a football stadium.
“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.”
It will be cool, and I feel certain that he’s going to bring in some great guest stars too. People obviously want Beyonce to come in, and I hope that happens. But it just occurred to me that Jay probably wants Pharrell Williams to appear too, given Pharrell/The Neptunes did so much production work for Jay, especially in the early 2000s. Like… I’m legitimately excited about what Jay-Z will do and who he’ll bring in.
GOAT’s out of the bag. @sc #AppleMusicHalftime #SBLXI https://t.co/6wnIqTKjZB
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) October 27, 2026
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Backgrid and Apple Music’s Instagram.
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- New York, NY – Jay-Z, Tina Knowles, and Tyler Perry were seen leaving the ‘Mea Culpa’ premiere at the Paris Theater in New York. Pictured: Jay-Z BACKGRID USA 15 FEBRUARY 2024 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles premiere of Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” at Dolby Theatre. Pictured: Jay-Z, Beyoncé BACKGRID USA 9 DECEMBER 2024 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Paris, FRANCE Beyoncé and Jay-Z were seen making a stylish exit from the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, turning heads with their coordinated looks as they wrapped up their visit to the iconic cultural venue. Pictured: Jay-Z BACKGRID USA 24 JUNE 2025 BYLINE MUST READ: Aissaoui Nacer / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- New York, NY Celebrities at the 2026 Met Gala, celebrating “Costume Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Pictured: Jay-Z, Beyoncé Knowles, Blue Ivy Carter BACKGRID USA 4 MAY 2026 BYLINE MUST READ: BFA.com / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Celebrities attend Fanatics Fest 2024 in New York City Featuring: Jay-Z Where: New York, New York, United States When: 18 Aug 2024 Credit: Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com
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- Celebrities attend Fanatics Fest 2024 in New York City Featuring: Jay-Z Where: New York, New York, United States When: 18 Aug 2024 Credit: Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com
I nominate… MEEEEEE!! Whatever, I’m sure it will be good. I don’t like football for a number of reasons, but I always catch the halftime show. Hope they have a marching band!
It’s quite the feat for the performers. They have 12 minutes. No going over! And they get ONE rehearsal on the field ahead of time. Sounds unimaginably stressful!
The NFL owns the video rights to all of the halftime shows, so you can see them all on you tube, going back to the days of Up with People and Michael Jackson! They are a trip! So many good ones, regardless of whether or not I would seek out the music.
Prince was the GOAT and Madonna was the 2nd GOAT. I might put Rhianna next in line. Amazing performances!
I’m looking forward to seeing what Mr Z does.
For how long he’s gotta choose the performers? Is this his last year and taking it for himself? Seems weird, but anyway, JayZ was my era, so it’s gonna be a lot of fun to watch this.
That’s what I wondered too. How long does his nfl contract last?
I think he’s going to put on a great show. i expect lots of guest appearances, but he’ll be careful not to mimic too much the 2022 performance from Dr. dre et al, especially since its in the same stadium (I think.)
If OTR III is announced and not Act iii, imma riot.
I say this with as much apathy I can muster, who is out here saying they miss this man and his music?
You did your residency for The Blueprint anniversary and that was nostalgic, but…no.
Make peace with Nas and invite him and we will see.
“Allow myself to introduce…..myself!”
He’s not topping Kendrick or Bad Bunny.
I only like it to see MAGA heads explode because it’s been so many POC back to back as the half-time show. But after he cozied up to Target after they turned their back on DEI, I’m not effing with him.
I wouldn’t want to be the act that has to follow the brilliance that was Bad Bunny’s half time, so maybe he couldn’t find anyone else!!?? Haha. I’m sure it will be a good show.
I’m sure Taylor Swift would’ve done it.