'Forget the actual playing time,' I hear you shout, 'we want to know how long the gap is in the middle.' That's right, there are people out there who turn up for the musical extravaganza in between the Super Bowl action more than the touchdown-laden, pad-smashing fun that the rest of us are focused on. Well, for those lucky folks, 2022 bring a halftime show that is unlikely to disappoint.
It truly is a huge attraction with some of the hottest artists asked to perform to a global audience. And after the massive covid restrictions that were in place last year, we are back to a packed SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to welcome them to the stage.
More Super Bowl news:
You'll have noted that during the regular season, the halftime break lasts around 15 minutes, but for the campaign-ending finale there is so much more to take care of.
Super Bowl: a 15-minute spectacular
This Sunday's halftime show in Los Angeles will be a parade of hip hop royalty, with Dr. Dre set to be joined on stage by Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige. Find out more about the west coast extravaganza.
The @Pepsi Halftime Show is just three days away... #PepsiHalftime #SBLVI@drdre @eminem @snoopdogg @maryjblige @kendricklamar pic.twitter.com/NiTUNKdTJS
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2022
From a tape-delayed performance by New Kids on the Block in Super Bowl XXV (also in Tampa), through Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, US, Jackson-Timberlake, Prince, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, the halftime show has not looked back. Here are some of the more recent spectacles that have brought us up to this Sunday.
Halftime show in 2021: Super Bowl LV
In last year's Superbowl LV edition, one that pitted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Kansas City Chiefs, the headline act was The Weeknd. The show provides around 15 minutes of musical entertainment between the sporting action, and it marked the 30th anniversary of when the event swapped traditional marching bands for contemporary music acts. All in all though, there was over 30 minutes between the first and second half of the contest which allowed for adverts and game analysis.
Halftime show in 2020: Super Bowl LIV
Taking place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, the halftime show in 2020 was one that could boast the most number of musical stars on stage. The main singers were Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Emme Muñiz.
Despite this plethora of entertainment on offer, the television audience in the USA fell just shy of 100 million viewers.
Halftime show in 2019: Super Bowl LIII
In the year 2019, Super Bowl LIII took place on 3 February at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. While the sports stars of the match were the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, the singers who were chosen to liven up the break were Maroon 5, Travis Scott, and Big Boi.
All of them entertained an audience of 98 million viewers in the United States and more than 160 million worldwide.
Halftime show in 2018: Super Bowl LII
The US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was handed the opportunity to host Super Bowl LII in 2018 which was played out between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, with victory for the latter.
In the halftime show, the main stars were Justin Timberlake, the Tennessee Kids, and the University of Minnesota Marching Band, that had the audience eating out of their musical hands as they played around with some of Timberlake's numbers.
Full screen
Halftime showin 2017: Super Bowl LI
The match between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots,in the 2017 Super Bowl LI, was played at the NRG Stadium in Houston Texas. Lady Gaga, who was one of the truly global singing stars of the moment, was asked to perform.
The artist was on stage for around 14 minutes and belted out some of her most famous songs including 'Bad Romance', 'Telephone' and 'Born This Way', much to the delight of those in attendance.
Other artists at the Super Bowl halftime show
7 years ago today
— ✨ilaria✨ Boss' Trouble 💅🏻 (@lets_just_kiss_) February 2, 2021
Super Bowl Half time show XLVIII
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey pic.twitter.com/Y2CgK9hCHs
Across the rest of the decade, many other great artists have entertained the public in the halftime show. Some of the most notable have been the performances of Coldplay in 2016 during Super Bowl LV, Katy Perry in 2015, Bruno Mars in 2014, and Beyonce in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Super Bowl halftime shows are hugely important to the public, both at home and abroad, and they have become one of the side events to the sport that generates the largest audience. We will, of course, be bringing you all the action live - with separate feeds for the game and the show. You are most welcome!
