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The Super Bowl halftime show remains one of the most popular musical events in the world, and all eyes are now on Super Bowl LX. This year’s championship kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. ET, as the Seattle Seahawks face off against the New England Patriots. Hosted at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the game features global superstar Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner.
The show lasts only 12 minutes, but the performances leave lasting memories because of how good — or bad — they are. Indeed, it is where legends are crowned or disgraced. Fans often debate which Super Bowl halftime stars we deserve based on these high-stakes moments. Here is an overview of the best and worst Super Bowl halftime show moments ever.
Can Bad Bunny meet the halftime show gold standard?
While opinions vary on the best halftime performances, there is a general consensus that the following three are truly outstanding:
Prince (2007)
Prince’s 2007 performance is considered the greatest halftime show of all time with good reason: Nature seemed to work in his favor. It was raining heavily at Dolphin Stadium in Miami when Prince took the stage to perform his hit “Purple Rain,” making the moment feel spiritually and poetically symbolic.
Notably, the rain added a dramatic effect to his guitar solos, making the instrument sound as if it were wailing in the artist’s passionate hands. Moreover, the rain enhanced the stage atmosphere, making it shine brighter under the lights. Prince was a virtuoso who showcased his full range that day, flawlessly weaving together hits like “Let’s Go Crazy” with iconic covers like Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”
Michael Jackson (1993)
Many regard Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance as the show that ushered in the modern halftime tradition. Before Jackson breathed life into it, the slot was mostly a filler event.
Interestingly, booking Jackson was the NFL’s strategy to reverse declining halftime ratings, and it worked spectacularly. The star made an iconic entrance, standing in darkness and silence for two full minutes as the crowd waited in suspense. The wait was worth it; Jackson delivered a stunning set of hits, opening with “Jam” and closing with “We Are the World.”
Dr. Dre and Friends (2022)
Hip-hop, specifically West Coast hip-hop, had its moment in 2022 when Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar performed together. It was a “Mount Rushmore” lineup, bringing the genre’s most legendary figures to one stage.
The performance was a masterclass in curation, featuring hits like “California Love,” “No More Drama” and “Lose Yourself.” Beyond the music, the show served as a Super Bowl cultural mirror, reflecting the social and racial tensions of the time. Notably, Lamar performed the protest anthem “Alright,” and Eminem took a knee during the finale in a nod to Colin Kaepernick.
Super Bowl halftime shows that missed the mark
Not all halftime shows are memorable for the right reasons. There have been several lackluster performances, but few were worse than the following:
‘Nipplegate’ (2004)
The 2004 show featuring Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, P. Diddy and Nelly became known as “Nipplegate” due to a wardrobe malfunction. During the finale of “Rock Your Body,” choreography called for Timberlake to pull away a part of Jackson’s costume to reveal a red lace bra. However, the bra tore, briefly exposing Jackson’s breast to more than 140 million live viewers. The backlash was instant; Jackson faced the brunt of the criticism, while Timberlake’s career remained largely unaffected.
Maroon 5 (2019)
Maroon 5’s 2019 performance struggled in many aspects and seemed doomed from the start. It occurred during the height of the NFL kneeling controversy, and several other musicians had reportedly turned down the gig before the NFL turned to Maroon 5 as a “safe” option. The performance was widely panned as forgettable, lacking energy and featuring guest appearances that felt like desperate attempts at relevance.
Black Eyed Peas (2011)
The Black Eyed Peas had high ambitions for 2011, envisioning a high-tech, futuristic phenomenon. Instead, the result was chaos. Glaring issues with vocals and sound mixing plagued the set, alongside bizarre choreography. Furthermore, the LED suits intended to look “cool” made the artists resemble glow-in-the-dark action figures. The performance felt over-rehearsed and lacked organic energy.
Where halftime meets the sportsbook
As fans prepare for Bad Bunny’s historic performance, the action off the field is expected to be just as intense. NFL betting markets for Super Bowl LX are already surging, with experts predicting record-breaking handle across the country. Major sportsbooks are offering a wide array of props not just on the Seahawks and Patriots, but on the halftime show itself, proving that the entertainment is just as bankable as the game.
