Super Bowl start time: What to know before kickoff on Sunday night

The Super Bowl starts Sunday, February 8, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. That timing matters for everything from party planning to travel, because the NFL’s championship night typically stretches across a long pregame window, a full game broadcast, and a halftime show that can push the finish well into the late evening on the East Coast.

If you only care about the opening kickoff, 6:30 p.m. ET is the key. If you want the full spectacle—introductions, national anthem, coin toss, and the first wave of commercials—you’ll want to be tuned in earlier.

Super Bowl start time and key moments

Kickoff is the official start of play, but the on-field ceremony begins before that. Here’s a practical, ET-only rundown to help you time food, guests, and TV setup.

Times marked “approx.” depend on game flow, reviews, and stoppages. The only fixed time is kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Why kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET

The NFL has settled into a consistent Sunday-night championship slot because it captures the broadest audience window: late afternoon into prime time across the U.S. It also gives the league room for a long pregame buildup, which is part event coverage and part entertainment show.

For viewers on the East Coast, the tradeoff is a later finish. For people hosting, it usually means planning for the biggest food push around 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET, then a second round at halftime.

What “start” means for viewers

A lot of people ask when the Super Bowl starts but actually mean one of three different “starts”:

• Start of coverage: when the broadcast begins and the full day of analysis, features, and live shots ramps up.

• Start of ceremonies: when the stadium presentation and formalities begin.

• Start of play: the opening kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET.

If you’re trying to catch the anthem, the coin toss, or team introductions, the safest plan is to be settled in by 6:00 p.m. ET.

How long the Super Bowl usually runs

From kickoff to final whistle, the Super Bowl often runs longer than a typical regular-season game because of extended commercial breaks, longer halftime production, and extra ceremony elements. A reasonable expectation is that the game will be over somewhere around 10:00–10:30 p.m. ET, though close games, overtime, and lengthy reviews can push later.

For hosts, that usually translates into a three-phase plan: pregame snacks, main food during the first half, and dessert or lighter food at halftime or early in the third quarter.

What to watch for as kickoff approaches

Even though the kickoff time is locked, a few things can affect how you experience the “start”:

• Weather and travel around the stadium: can shift arrival patterns and crowd timing (but not kickoff).

• Pre-kick ceremony pacing: can run slightly long or short, depending on the program.

• Technical setup at home: streaming latency and app logins can add minutes at the worst possible time.

If you’re watching in a group, the simplest advice is to have the TV ready well before 6:00 p.m. ET, with audio up and the feed stable, so the transition into the kickoff sequence doesn’t turn into a scramble.

Sources consulted: NFL; Associated Press; ESPN; CBS Sports