Green Day, politics, and the Super Bowl: What the NFL just signed up for

The NFL heard that some people were upset about a non-English speaking artist performing at the halftime show for Super Bowl LX. They heard the pleas from the far-right, and so they added a nice, white, all-American band to open up the game.

I sincerely hope they’re all doing okay now.

Green Day, politics, and the Super Bowl

Amidst the backlash the NFL received for inviting Bad Bunny to perform the Super Bowl halftime show, they also invited Green Day to open the event in their own backyard. Formed in the Bay Area’s punk scene in the late 1980s, the trio of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool rose from gritty clubs to global superstardom, becoming one of the most influential rock bands of the last 30 years.

From the raw energy of “Dookie” to the politically charged rock opera “American Idiot”, Green Day has built a career on rebellion, critique, and confrontation, values that don’t always sit comfortably inside a corporate sports spectacle. Yet here they are, chosen to help usher generations of Super Bowl MVPs onto the field as part of the league’s 60th anniversary celebration.

“We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard,” Armstrong said. “Let’s get loud.”

Loud, indeed. Green Day’s history of political advocacy is long and unapologetic. The band has spoken out on all kinds of topics, including climate justice, LGBTQ+ rights, corporate power and nationalism, and U.S. politics, particularly the Trump presidency.

Armstrong famously altered the lyrics of “American Idiot” during live performances to call out the “MAGA agenda”, a move that drew cheers from fans and fury from critics.

Donald Trump publicly criticized the NFL’s choice, calling Green Day a “terrible” selection and saying he is “anti-them.” Trump has already confirmed he will not attend the game.

NFL leadership has shown no hesitation in defending the choice. League executives have framed Green Day’s appearance as a celebration of legacy, identity, and shared history, both musical and athletic. Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of event and game presentation, described the moment as a “collective celebration” honoring the legends who shaped the sport. But there’s no separating the symbolism. Choosing Green Day, a band that built its legacy challenging authority, to open the Super Bowl in 2026 is a reminder that the NFL understands what this moment represents.

The opening ceremony will air live at 3 p.m. Pacific on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, and Universo without tape delay or an editing safety net. Green Day will precede performances by Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones, setting the emotional and cultural tone before the game even kicks off.

What songs they choose, and how they perform them, will be scrutinized in real time. Fans, critics, politicians, and the internet will all be watching for signals, symbolism, and statements. The NFL has played it safe in the past, but this year, they chose Green Day, a band synonymous with dissent, identity, and outspoken politics, to open the biggest broadcast of the year. Whether fans see that as celebration or provocation likely depends on what they already believe.

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