Shawn Carter to Headline 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show
The rapper, who called 2026 a year of offense in a March GQ profile, will perform at the 50-yard line.
By Megan Greco ·
Shawn Carter, widely known as Jay-Z, will perform at the halftime show of the 2026 Super Bowl. The announcement resolves a question that emerged after the rapper declared 2026 a year of offense in a March cover story for GQ magazine. While the NFL has not yet announced the two teams that will contest the championship, the league confirmed Carter will take the stage at the 50-yard line.
Carter’s history with sports is extensive. His discography contains frequent references to athletes, teams, and specific games. The performance is expected to feature hits from his catalog that utilize these themes. ESPN analyzed his lyrics to rank ten notable sports references, noting that his work often parallels major moments in professional athletics.
The ranked list includes a 2004 line from 'Never Let Me Down' that compares Carter’s return to NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon claiming pole position. Another entry cites a 1997 verse from 'I Love The Dough' that references watching Mike Tyson fight Peter McNeely in Las Vegas. This trip occurred shortly before the death of rapper The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997, a loss that Carter and his label Roc-A-Fella Records have cited as a pivotal moment in hip-hop history.
In 2008, Carter recorded a verse for the track 'Blow The Whistle' comparing LeBron James to a dominant force in the NBA playoffs. That season, James averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in a first-round series against Washington. The track gained wide attention, though rivals Soulja Boy and DeShawn Stevenson did not release a response song.
Carter also referenced Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham in the 2001 song 'Heart of the City.' The comparison highlights Cunningham’s ability to scramble for first downs, a skill Carter used to describe his own movement. Other lyrics mention Penny Hardaway’s marketing persona, New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, and the 1984 NBA draft selection of Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan.
The top ranked lyric comes from 'Hola Hovito' in 2001. In that verse, Carter compares other rappers to Sam Bowie, the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft who was selected ahead of Jordan. Carter uses the analogy to position himself as the superior talent. The list also includes a 2003 freestyle over Joe Budden’s 'Pump It Up,' where Carter compares Budden to lesser basketball players like Harold Miner and J.R. Rider.
The 2026 Super Bowl will mark Carter’s latest major stage appearance. He previously helped revitalize the halftime show format during his previous tenure. The specific teams playing in the game remain undetermined as the NFL season progresses.
Carter’s performance will feature a mix of his well-known hits and these sports-themed verses. The event is scheduled for February 2026. No further details regarding the production team or guest performers have been released.
Source: ESPN
