Jay-Z headlines February Super Bowl

The National Football League confirmed that rapper Jay-Z will perform during the Super Bowl halftime show on February 14, 2026. The game is scheduled to take place near Los Angeles. This marks the first time the artist has headlined the event, although his management firm has produced the show for several years.

Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, has not previously appeared on the field for the NFL championship. His company, Roc Nation, has served as the halftime show producer since 2019. In that capacity, the firm holds primary authority over selecting annual musical guests. The league did not clarify in its release whether Jay-Z would perform alone or share the stage with other acts.

The announcement followed two concerts Jay-Z held at the Los Angeles stadium last weekend. These shows were part of a tour marking the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Carter reflected on the milestone, stating, "From 'Reasonable Doubt' to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey. Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world's biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed enthusiasm for the booking. He noted that he had a specific request when negotiating the production deal with Roc Nation: that Jay-Z eventually take the stage himself. Goodell said, "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." He added that he was excited for fans to experience Carter's cultural impact.

The league also addressed speculation regarding potential guest appearances. A league statement predicted that anticipation for guest stars would begin immediately. It specifically named Beyonce, Jay-Z's wife, as the top contender for a supporting role in the production.