Super Bowl 2026 start time, kickoff time, and where to watch on Sunday

Super Bowl 2026 is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026, and the key detail most viewers want is simple: kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with Super Bowl Sunday coverage spanning most of the day.

If you’re planning food, guests, or travel, the best approach is to treat 6:30 p.m. ET as the hard anchor—and build backward for pregame and forward for halftime and the trophy presentation.

What time is Super Bowl 2026?

The official scheduled start time (kickoff) for Super Bowl 2026 is 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 8.

People often use “start time” to mean different things:

• Pregame coverage can begin hours earlier.

• Player introductions, anthem, and flyover typically happen shortly before kickoff.

• Kickoff is when the ball is actually kicked and the game begins.

Here’s a practical timing guide for the evening (ET):

Note: Halftime and end times are approximate because they depend on game flow, reviews, and stoppages.

Superbowl kickoff time vs. “start time” confusion

When someone asks “what time is the Super Bowl,” they might mean:

• When the broadcast begins (varies by channel and local listings)

• When the pregame show starts (often mid-to-late afternoon ET)

• When kickoff happens (the most reliable single time: 6:30 p.m. ET)

If you only set one reminder, set it for 6:30 p.m. ET. If you care about the opening ceremony, aim to be settled 20–30 minutes earlier.

Where to watch Super Bowl 2026

In the U.S., Super Bowl 2026 airs on NBC, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo. Streaming options include Peacock, and the game is also available on NFL+ on supported mobile devices. Many live-TV streaming bundles that carry NBC locally can also work, but availability depends on your market and whether the service includes your local NBC station.

If you’re watching at a bar or restaurant, most will default to the main U.S. broadcast feed; Spanish audio is typically available when the venue tunes to the Spanish-language channel.

How to watch Super Bowl 2026 without cable

If you don’t have a traditional cable package, your most straightforward options are:

• A streaming service carrying the broadcast (the official streaming home for the game this year is Peacock)

• A live TV streaming bundle that includes your local NBC station

• Mobile streaming through NFL+ (device and plan restrictions may apply)

Because local station carriage can vary, it’s smart to confirm your setup earlier on Super Bowl Sunday—especially if you’re relying on a live-TV streaming bundle.

Super Bowl Sunday planning: a simple timeline

Most Super Bowl parties work best with a rough plan built around kickoff:

• 3:30–5:30 p.m. ET: food prep, guests arrive, final errands

• 5:30–6:30 p.m. ET: settle in, pregame, national anthem and introductions

• 6:30 p.m. ET: kickoff

• 8-ish p.m. ET: halftime

• 10-ish p.m. ET: finish, postgame, trophy ceremony

If you’re hosting, the biggest “gotcha” is underestimating how early people will want the TV on. Even casual viewers often tune in well before kickoff for the pageantry and commercials.

Sources consulted: NFL, NBC Sports, ABC News, Yahoo Sports