Super Bowl LX: What to Know About Kickoff, Halftime, and How Long the Game Might Run
Super Bowl Sunday is finally here, and this year's matchup brings a compelling clash of styles to the biggest stage in football. The AFC champion New England Patriots are set to square off against the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It’s the kind of showdown that offers more than just fireworks - it’s a chess match between a bruising, bend-but-don’t-break defense and a team that’s steamrolled opponents all year long.
Let’s break down what you need to know heading into Super Bowl LX - from when to tune in to how long you can expect the action (and entertainment) to last.
Kickoff Time: When the Game Gets Underway
The Patriots and Seahawks are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. That’s the moment the football world has been waiting for - when the ball goes in the air and the Lombardi Trophy is officially up for grabs.
But if you’re the type who likes to soak in every minute of pregame buildup - the interviews, the analysis, the predictions - NBC is rolling out pregame coverage starting at 1:00 p.m. ET. That’s five and a half hours of lead-in, hosted by Maria Taylor alongside Noah Eagle and Jac Collinsworth, diving into everything from X’s and O’s to player storylines.
The Matchup: Grit vs. Firepower
Let’s talk about how these two teams got here, because they’ve taken very different roads to Santa Clara.
The Patriots have clawed their way through the AFC with a throwback formula: stingy defense and just enough offense to get by. They’re averaging just 18 points per game this postseason - the lowest for a Super Bowl team since the 1979 Rams.
But don’t let that number fool you. Their defense has been lights out, allowing just 8.7 points per game across three playoff wins.
That’s the fewest allowed en route to a Super Bowl appearance since the legendary 2000 Ravens, a team known for suffocating opponents into submission.
On the other side, the Seahawks have been a juggernaut. Their +230 point differential is the fourth-best of any Super Bowl team in the 21st century - and the best since the 2015 Panthers. Seattle hasn’t just been winning - they’ve been dominating, and they’re bringing a high-octane offense and opportunistic defense into this title bout.
It’s a classic contrast: the Patriots want to drag you into the mud, while the Seahawks are looking to light up the scoreboard. Buckle up.
Halftime Show: When to Expect the Entertainment
If you're here for the spectacle as much as the sport, the halftime show is always a highlight. This year, global superstar Bad Bunny takes center stage.
Expect the performance to kick off sometime between **7:30 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m.
ET**, though that window is fluid depending on how the first half plays out.
Super Bowl halftimes tend to run longer than your typical 12-minute NFL break, so there’s plenty of time to refill the snacks and settle in for a show that’s become a cultural event in its own right.
How Long Will the Game Last?
On average, Super Bowls over the past two decades have clocked in at around 3 hours and 37 minutes. If that trend holds, we’re looking at a finish around 10:07 p.m. ET.
Of course, that’s just an estimate. If we get a tight contest - say, one that comes down to a final goal-line stand or a game-winning drive - things could stretch a bit longer.
For reference, the last time these two teams met in a Super Bowl (you might remember that one from the 2014 season), the game lasted 3 hours and 36 minutes. And yes, it came down to the final moments.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re watching for the football, the halftime show, or just the commercials, Super Bowl LX has all the ingredients of a classic. The Patriots are leaning on a defense that’s playing historically well.
The Seahawks are riding a wave of dominance that’s hard to ignore. And with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.
ET, all that’s left is to sit back and enjoy what promises to be an unforgettable night.