Super Bowl 2026 Start Time, Kickoff, Teams, Location, Odds, and How to Watch and Stream on Super Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl Sunday 2026 is here, and the biggest questions are simple: who’s playing, where is it, and what time is kickoff. The NFL title game takes place today, Sunday, February 8, 2026, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This year’s matchup is Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots, a pairing that also revives plenty of old storylines while introducing new ones.
When is the Super Bowl 2026 and what time does it start in ET?
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Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
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Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
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Pregame coverage: commonly starts around 1:00 p.m. ET and runs through kickoff
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Halftime timing: typically lands roughly 7:30–8:30 p.m. ET, depending on game flow
If you’re searching “Super Bowl time,” “Super Bowl kickoff,” “what time is the Super Bowl tonight,” or “at what time is the Super Bowl,” the clean answer is 6:30 p.m. ET.
Who’s playing in the Super Bowl 2026?
The teams playing in the Super Bowl 2026 are:
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Seattle Seahawks
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New England Patriots
It’s a high-contrast matchup: Seattle’s defense-forward identity against a New England team that has leaned on structure, situational football, and a new-era leadership vibe. Beyond the logos, the game also reads like a referendum on roster-building philosophies: win with star power at premium positions, or win with depth, coaching leverage, and brutal efficiency.
Where is the Super Bowl 2026 being played?
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Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
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City: Santa Clara, California
If you’re typing “where is the Super Bowl,” “where is the Super Bowl 2026 location,” or “Levi Stadium,” this is the one: Santa Clara in the Bay Area, with Levi’s Stadium hosting.
What channel is the Super Bowl on, and where to watch the Super Bowl
Because broadcast rights rotate, the Super Bowl airs on a major U.S. broadcast network this year and is available widely through:
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Traditional television (including free over-the-air viewing in many areas with an antenna)
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That same broadcaster’s official streaming companion
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Live-TV streaming bundles that carry the broadcast feed (typically requires a subscription and sometimes local availability rules)
If your goal is “where to watch Super Bowl 2026 free,” the most reliable path is free over-the-air reception where available, since that doesn’t require a paid streaming subscription.
Super Bowl streaming: how to stream Super Bowl 2026
If you’re searching “Super Bowl streaming,” “where can I stream the Super Bowl,” or “how to stream Super Bowl 2026,” focus on these practical checks before kickoff:
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Pick your method: TV antenna, cable/satellite, official streaming companion, or a live-TV streaming bundle.
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Confirm local availability: some streams depend on your market location.
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Test your setup early: logins, app updates, and device casting can eat the first quarter if you wait.
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Plan for multiple screens: one device for the game, another for stats, props, or group chat.
The simplest streaming route is usually the official streaming option tied to the broadcast. Live-TV streaming bundles can also work, but the experience varies depending on your local feed and device.
Super Bowl odds: who is favored to win the Super Bowl?
As of game day, Seattle is favored by about 4.5 points, reflecting a market view that the Seahawks’ defense and matchup control may travel better under Super Bowl pressure. Odds can shift late based on injury updates and betting volume, but the signal is clear: Seattle enters as the team expected to win by a narrow margin.
Behind the headline: why this Super Bowl feels bigger than one night
This isn’t just a championship game; it’s a snapshot of where the league is heading.
Context: The matchup puts two franchises with massive historical gravity into a modern setting. For New England, it’s about proving the post-dynasty era can still deliver titles with a new core and new leadership. For Seattle, it’s about validating a roster and scheme built to strangle space, shorten games, and force a handful of decisive mistakes.
Incentives:
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Players chase legacy, contracts, and career-defining tape.
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Coaches chase credibility that lasts longer than any single season.
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The league and partners chase a seamless, global-scale production where nothing breaks.
Stakeholders: Fans and local businesses win from the spectacle; advertisers win when the game is close and the fourth quarter matters; sportsbooks win on volume regardless of outcome; and the teams’ front offices win if their blueprint looks “copyable” to the rest of the league.
Missing pieces to watch: late injury designations, offensive line health, and whether either team changes its identity under the brightest lights. Super Bowls often swing on the least glamorous detail: protection calls, special teams leverage, and clock decisions.
Second-order effects: A win can trigger a talent migration toward a scheme style across the league. A loss can spark offseason overreactions: coordinator poaching, roster tear-downs, or a desperate swing at quarterback or pass rush.
Next steps and realistic scenarios:
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Close game late: one turnover or special teams play decides it.
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Defense dominates: the under hits, and field position becomes the story.
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Early offensive burst: the trailing team is forced out of its comfort zone by halftime.
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Coaching decision defines headlines: fourth-down choices and clock management become the postgame obsession.
However you’re watching, the essential planning is the same: kickoff is 6:30 p.m. ET today, and if you’re streaming, test everything well before 6:00 p.m. ET so the first drive isn’t spent troubleshooting.
