Opener or Headliner? Why Green Day is performing hours before the Halftime Show
Green Day are performing at Super Bowl, but not when you might think.
For many fans, the announcement that Green Day will perform at Super Bowl 60 has sparked the curious mix of excitement and confusion, with some less informed viewers wondering if a Green Day x Bad Bunny collab album is in the works (spoiler: it isn’t).
Although the legendary punk‑rock trio are indeed part of the entertainment lineup for the Super Bowl, Armstrong and co. will not be headlining the iconic halftime act.
Instead, Green Day are scheduled to take the stage hours before kickoff as part of what’s known as the Super Bowl’s opening ceremony.
The explanation lies in how the National Football League has decided to structure this year’s festivities: Green Day will kick off the celebration with a special performance that honours the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl. The band’s set is part of an elaborate pregame schedule that includes performances of the national anthem and other patriotic songs, building anticipation before the players take the field.
Selecting Green Day for the opening ceremony is a nod to both the band’s cultural significance and its local roots. Formed in the East Bay area of California, the trio of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool has a deep connection to the San Francisco Bay Area, making their inclusion not only logical but meaningful as the championship returns to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
In contrast, the coveted halftime slot belongs to Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny this year. The artist, fresh off major awards and even more international acclaim, is set to deliver a show during the second quarter of the game itself. Even if Donald Trump doesn’t like it.
“I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice,” Trump said on the performers. His press secretary and chief barking dog, Karoline Leavitt, said that Mr Trump “would much prefer Kid Rock”. He can spin Devil Without a Cause on his Walkman instead, then.
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Super Bowl LX will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with the game scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026. The NFL has set a 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff for the fixture, which translates to 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time locally at the stadium. Don’t bring your umbrella.
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