The Super Bowl is an event that transcends the sporting world. Its iconic halftime show makes the game as much of a key date in the calendar for music fans as American football buffs, and as a result attracts tens of millions of viewers every year. The football pitch has formerly played host to massive acts including The Rolling Stones, Prince, Beyoncé, Paul McCartney and Madonna.
This year, the four-hour NFL game will be taking place on Sunday February 12 2023. Here’s everything you need to know.
What time is the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show?
The game kicks off at 11.30pm (GMT) in the UK and the halftime show is expected to start roughly around 1.30am on Monday morning.
How to watch the Super Bowl halftime show live in UK
You have a few options. British fans can watch the show live on either ITV1 or Sky Sports. Alternatively, viewers can stream the performance via ITVX, NowTV or subscribe to the NFL Game Pass.
Who is performing at the Super Bowl halftime show?
Rihanna (yes, the Rihanna) will be making much-anticipated return to live music. It will be the Barbadian singer’s first performance in five years, so it’s kind of a big deal.
Because the set lasts 12 minutes, RiRi is expected to bring on a guest or two. However, details are being kept closely under wraps. We do know that Jay Z, who signed Rihanna back when she was a teenager, is a partner in the production of the show through his company Roc Nation and is helping to organise the whole thing, so many are anticipating an ‘Umbrella’ reunion. There’s also speculation that the star could be joined by previous collaborators Eminem, Drake or Calvin Harris.
Before the game, Grammy Award-winning country singer Chris Stapleton will sing the US national anthem.
What’s been said about the show?
Following the announcement of RiRi’s return, Jay-Z said: ‘Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn. A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment.’
Will there be any trailers?
Year after year, companies pay big bucks to get an advertising slot at the event. Last time, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was the big blockbuster trailer to be shown to the game’s 112 million viewers. This time around, a new trailer for The Flash is expected to take a slot alongside Fast X (the next movie in the Fast & Furious franchise), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, The Little Mermaid and potentially the latest in the Indiana Jones series.
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