Patriots vs. Seahawks tonight in Super Bowl LX: kickoff, how to watch, and what to expect

Super Bowl LX arrives tonight with a familiar, heavyweight pairing: the New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026, with pregame coverage stretching through the afternoon and the final ceremony sequence beginning shortly before the opening kick.

It’s a rematch that carries extra gravity for both franchises: New England is chasing another Lombardi chapter, while Seattle is looking to add a second title and cap a season built on defense, tempo control, and timely explosive plays.

Kickoff time and the key viewing windows

The listed kickoff is 6:30 p.m. ET, though the first snap typically follows a few minutes later after the coin toss and final pregame elements. If you don’t want to miss the opening sequence, plan to be settled by 6:15 p.m. ET.

How to watch: broadcast and streaming, in plain terms

Tonight’s game is available on the event’s primary broadcast network and also on its companion streaming service as a live simulcast. For most viewers, the simplest options are:

• Over-the-air TV (antenna): often the most reliable, and typically the least delayed.

• Cable/satellite: traditional live feed.

• Streaming: useful for cord-cutters, but often a few seconds behind live TV.

If you’re streaming, the biggest last-minute pitfalls are login issues and device updates. The safest move is to open the stream and confirm playback well before 6:15 p.m. ET, especially if you’re casting to a TV.

What’s at stake for both teams

For the Patriots, this is a chance to reclaim the league’s biggest stage and turn a strong season into a defining championship moment. For the Seahawks, it’s an opportunity to validate a new era—one centered on aggressive defense and fast adjustments—while delivering a title that would cement the franchise’s post-2010s identity.

Oddsmakers have leaned slightly toward Seattle, a reflection of their defensive consistency and late-season form. The spread entering game day has hovered around Seahawks by 4.5 points, with a projected total near the mid-40s—numbers that suggest a competitive game where one turnover swing or red-zone stop could decide it.

Matchups that can decide the night

Super Bowls often come down to a small set of repeat situations rather than one highlight play. Three battles matter most:

• Pressure vs. protection: whichever offensive line holds up best on long down-and-distance snaps can keep drives alive and prevent momentum-killing sacks.

• Red-zone execution: field goals can win, but touchdowns usually decide championships—especially if both defenses tighten between the 20s.

• Explosive-play control: one busted coverage or one missed tackle can flip the scoreboard faster than any “time of possession” advantage.

If New England can avoid negative plays and finish drives, it can keep the game in a manageable script. If Seattle forces early chaos—short fields, hurried reads, and third-and-long—its defense can dictate the tone.

The pregame and halftime entertainment lineup

Tonight’s pregame performances include the national anthem by Charlie Puth, plus additional ceremony songs from Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones, with American Sign Language performers featured as part of the presentation. The halftime show headliner is Bad Bunny, set to perform during the halftime window.

Because halftime timing depends on game flow, the most practical expectation is that the halftime show begins around 8:00–8:30 p.m. ET, not at an exact minute.

What to watch for early

The opening quarter will reveal the core script:

• Does either team test deep early to loosen coverage?

• Can either defense force a quick three-and-out to seize field position?

• Do coaches lean conservative (punt, protect, settle) or aggressive (tempo, fourth-down pressure, early shot plays)?

If the first two drives end in points, expect a more open game. If both drives stall, expect a field-position chess match where one mistake carries an outsized cost.

Sources consulted: NFL, NBC Sports, Associated Press, Reuters