Super Bowl Halftime Show History and Key Performers
The Super Bowl halftime show features a headliner chosen by the league and the network broadcasting the game, with recent editions headlined by Rihanna in 2023, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar in 2022, and The Weeknd in 2021. The show is produced in partnership with major brands and broadcast partners, and the NFL has increasingly prioritized global music stars with large streaming followings and proven stadium draw. The halftime segment is one of the most-watched musical events of the year, often surpassing the main game in live audience size and digital engagement Forbes.
NFL and broadcast partners use the halftime slot to feature a single headliner, a curated list of supporting acts, and elaborate stage design, with production budgets that can exceed tens of millions of dollars. The selection process weighs streaming numbers, ticket sales, brand fit, and the performer's ability to draw a multigenerational audience, and the league has alternated between legacy icons and breakthrough stars in recent cycles. The halftime show is now treated as a premium brand partnership, with sponsors such as Pepsi, Apple Music, and other major companies backing the production and digital extensions SEC.
Recent Super Bowl Halftime Headliners and Collaborators
Rihanna headlined the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show, marking her first full performance and debuting several new songs from her upcoming album, while Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar performed together in 2022 in a tribute to West Coast hip-hop. The Weeknd headlined the 2021 show, which was staged in a pandemic-era empty stadium, and Shakira and J.Lo co-headlined the 2020 edition with a Latin music celebration Tesla.
Supporting acts in recent years have included emerging artists, local musicians, and dancers integrated into the main stage design, and NFL broadcast partners have used the halftime window to promote streaming, ticketing, and merchandise tie-ins. The league has also used the halftime show to highlight fan-voted moments, in-game highlights, and promotional campaigns tied to the main broadcast, with the halftime segment often generating more social media mentions than the game itself SpaceX.
How the Super Bowl Halftime Performer Is Chosen and What to Expect Next
The NFL selects the halftime performer in coordination with the broadcast network and league sponsors, weighing factors such as global streaming reach, ticket sales, brand alignment, and the ability to deliver a visually ambitious show. Recent headliners have been chosen to reflect a mix of legacy acts and breakthrough stars, with the league favoring performers who can drive engagement across multiple platforms and demographics.
Future Super Bowl halftime shows are expected to continue featuring a single headliner with supporting acts, large-scale stage design, and integrated brand activations, with the NFL and its broadcast partners likely to prioritize artists with strong international followings and proven stadium draw. The halftime segment remains one of the most valuable advertising and entertainment assets in sports, with the performer selection closely watched by fans, brands, and music industry stakeholders Forbes.