Kid Rock halftime show: what it is, when it airs, and how to watch

Kid Rock is set to headline an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” timed to run during Super Bowl LX’s halftime on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The event has drawn unusually intense attention for a non-official halftime production, mixing pop-culture curiosity (“Is this real?”) with politics (“Why is it happening?”) and practical questions (“Where can I watch?”).

The short version: this is a separate broadcast and stream produced outside the league’s official halftime show, built as counterprogramming during the same break.

What the Kid Rock halftime show is

The show is promoted as a patriotic, values-forward music special aligned with “faith, family, and freedom” themes. It is not part of the in-stadium performance and is not affiliated with the league’s halftime production. Instead, it’s a parallel program designed for viewers who want an alternative during the halftime window.

Organizers have framed it as “family-friendly” entertainment for an audience that feels underserved by mainstream event programming. That positioning is central to both the show’s appeal and the criticism it has attracted.

When it starts Sunday night

Because halftime timing depends on game flow, the start is tied to when the first half ends rather than a fixed clock time. Promotions for the special have pointed to coverage beginning around 7:30 p.m. ET, with the main performance expected to align with halftime, roughly around 8:00 p.m. ET (give or take, depending on the pace of the first half).

If you plan to watch, the most reliable approach is to have the broadcast or stream ready before halftime begins and keep it on through the break.

Where to watch the Kid Rock halftime show

Availability has been promoted across both traditional TV and streaming options, with a focus on broad access:

• A faith-based cable network and its companion streaming app that listed a 7:30 p.m. ET start for coverage

• Free, over-the-air and ad-supported TV channels carrying the program in many U.S. markets

• Live streams on major video and social platforms, plus distribution through partner media outlets that also carry political programming

Because lineups and channel availability vary by location and provider, the key is to check the organizers’ official “how to watch” list and confirm what’s available on your TV package or connected device before the game reaches halftime.

Who’s performing and what to expect

The announced lineup centers on Kid Rock, with additional country artists billed as part of the show. Expect a tight, made-for-broadcast set designed to work as a drop-in alternative during halftime rather than a long concert. The staging and pacing are built for at-home viewing, and the production is intended to feel like an event—just not the official one.

One reason this has gained traction is novelty: alternative halftime shows exist, but they rarely feature a headliner as prominent as Kid Rock, and they rarely position themselves as a direct cultural rebuttal.

Why it’s controversial

The controversy is less about the performance itself and more about the premise. This event is explicitly framed as a response to the official halftime headliner, and the messaging around it has leaned into cultural division—an approach that has energized supporters and irritated critics.

There’s also been a swirl of online rumor about whether the alternative show was “canceled” or disrupted. As of Sunday, February 8, 2026 (ET), promotional materials and broadcast listings have continued to present it as scheduled, and there has been no broadly confirmed announcement that the entire production has been called off.

What to watch for after it airs

Two measurable signals will shape how this is remembered:

1. Audience size and reliability: whether the streams work smoothly and whether viewership looks meaningful

2. Repeatability: whether organizers treat this as a one-year statement or the start of an annual alternative

If the production draws a sizable audience and avoids technical issues, it could normalize the idea that halftime is no longer a single shared moment—but a choose-your-own broadcast window.

Sources consulted: People; The Independent; Trinity Broadcasting Network; Fox News