Kid Rock halftime show: the “All-American” alternative, explained

Kid Rock is going live tonight during Super Bowl LX halftime as the headliner of an “All-American” alternative show promoted by Turning Point USA. It’s designed as counterprogramming—something viewers can watch during the break if they don’t want the official in-stadium halftime performance.

The key timing detail: the alternative stream is scheduled to begin around 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026, tracking the usual halftime window for a game with a 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Because halftime depends on game flow, the start can drift a few minutes earlier or later.

What it is

This is a separate, live-streamed concert-style event produced outside the Super Bowl broadcast. Kid Rock is billed as the main act, with additional performances from Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.

The branding emphasizes a patriotic “faith, family, and freedom” theme, and the event has been promoted as a deliberate alternative to the official halftime show rather than a companion piece.

What it isn’t

The most common point of confusion is whether Kid Rock is part of the official Super Bowl halftime show. He is not.

The alternative show is:

• Not the NFL’s halftime show

• Not performed inside the stadium halftime production

• Not part of the primary game broadcast feed

• Not guaranteed to line up perfectly to the minute with halftime

In practice, it’s a second-screen option (or a switch-over option) that runs during the same general window as the halftime break.

When it starts in ET

Promoters have pegged the start around 8:00 p.m. ET. If you’re trying to catch it live, the safest plan is to be ready a little early—about 7:55 p.m. ET—because the halftime break can begin earlier than expected if the first half moves quickly.

If the first half runs long due to extended reviews, injuries, or a high number of stoppages, expect the start time to slide later.

Where to watch without getting fooled by re-uploads

Because this event is built for online viewing, copies and “mirror” streams tend to pop up quickly. The cleanest approach is to go directly to the organizer’s official live channels on the major social-video platforms and look for the verified live broadcast right as halftime begins.

The show is also expected to air on a free, ad-supported TV channel that many viewers can get over the air with an antenna and through some live-TV streaming bundles. Availability varies by market and package, so checking whether that channel is in your lineup before kickoff can save headaches during halftime.

Why it’s drawing attention

This isn’t just a music booking—it’s also a cultural statement. Alternative halftime programming exists every year in one form or another, but this one has been explicitly framed as a “choose this instead” option, which is why it’s become part of the larger Super Bowl conversation.

That framing has also created predictable push-and-pull:

• Supporters see it as a values-forward alternative and a way to avoid the official halftime act.

• Critics argue it turns halftime into another front in a broader culture clash.

Either way, the goal is clear: show up during the single biggest shared attention moment of the night, even if it’s not inside the game broadcast.

What to expect from the performance

Don’t expect the same kind of stadium-scale production you see in the official halftime show, where the performance is engineered around the broadcast, the field, and a fixed window. The alternative show is more likely to feel like a compact live concert segment—faster setup, tighter pacing, and a lineup designed for quick handoffs between performers.

If you want to watch both, the simplest setup is the game on the main screen and the alternative stream on a phone/tablet or a second TV—then decide which one gets your full attention once halftime hits.

Sources consulted: Associated Press, Forbes, Billboard, Decider