The Exact Time: When Does The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show 2025 Start?
The Super Bowl Halftime Show is arguably the most-watched 15 minutes of television all year, but pinpointing the exact start time is a logistical challenge that leaves millions of fans guessing. For the highly anticipated Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, featuring headliner Kendrick Lamar, the time is a crucial detail for party planners and music lovers alike. As of today, December 23, 2025, the game’s kickoff is locked in, allowing us to project the moment the stage lights up in New Orleans with high accuracy.
The short answer is that the performance will begin approximately 90 minutes after the game officially starts. With the National Football League (NFL) setting the Super Bowl LIX kickoff for 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Sunday, February 9, 2025, you should plan for the Kendrick Lamar spectacle to start around 8:00 p.m. ET to 8:15 p.m. ET. This window accounts for the pace of the first half, which includes the first two quarters and a brief two-minute warning.
Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show 2025: The Essential Timeline & Details
The 59th edition of the Super Bowl, or Super Bowl LIX, is a major landmark event on the global entertainment calendar. To understand the Halftime Show’s specific time, you must first know the game’s core schedule. The entire event is a massive, tightly-controlled production, and every minute is accounted for, even if the on-field action is unpredictable.
Here is the complete breakdown of the critical times and locations for the 2025 event:
- Event: Super Bowl LIX (59)
- Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
- Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game Kickoff Time: 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
- Local Time (New Orleans/CT): 5:30 p.m. Central Time (CT)
- Halftime Show Sponsor: Apple Music (in a multi-year agreement with the NFL)
- Headlining Performer: Kendrick Lamar
- Estimated Halftime Show Start Time: 8:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. ET
The 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff is the anchor for the entire evening. The first half of a typical NFL game, which consists of two 15-minute quarters, takes roughly 75 to 90 minutes of real time due to penalties, timeouts, and commercial breaks. It is this variable length that makes the Halftime Show time an estimate, though one with a very narrow window.
The Logistics of Time: Why the Halftime Show is Exactly 30 Minutes
The standard NFL halftime is only 12 minutes long, but the Super Bowl's mid-game break is nearly triple that duration, clocking in at approximately 30 minutes. This extended time is a critical requirement to facilitate the most ambitious logistical feat in live entertainment: the rapid construction and deconstruction of a massive concert stage on a professional football field.
The Three Phases of the 30-Minute Halftime
The entire 30-minute window is surgically divided to ensure the game can resume without delay. This is why the Halftime Show time is so crucial to the production team, led by Roc Nation, which organizes the event.
- Phase 1: Setup (Approx. 7–8 Minutes): The moment the second quarter ends, hundreds of crew members flood the field. They roll out massive, pre-fabricated stage sections—often on wheels—that have been hidden beneath the stands or along the sidelines. The 2025 production, featuring Kendrick Lamar, is rumored to have one of the largest set footprints in history, spanning nearly the entire length of the Caesars Superdome field. This phase is a high-speed ballet of precision engineering.
- Phase 2: The Performance (Approx. 12–15 Minutes): This is the main event. The performance itself is tightly choreographed to fit this strict time limit. Unlike a regular concert, there is no encore and no stopping. Lamar’s setlist will be a medley of his greatest hits, likely including chart-toppers like HUMBLE., DNA., and potentially his recent viral track, Not Like Us, condensed into a non-stop musical burst.
- Phase 3: Teardown (Approx. 7–8 Minutes): As soon as the final note is played, the crew rushes back onto the field to reverse the process. The stage must be completely removed, the field inspected, and the yard lines clearly visible before the players return. Any delay can result in a penalty for the game, a situation the NFL avoids at all costs.
Kendrick Lamar: What to Expect from the Super Bowl LIX Headliner
The announcement of Kendrick Lamar as the headliner for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans has generated immense excitement, particularly for fans of hip-hop and conscious rap. Lamar is one of the most critically acclaimed artists of his generation, and his performance is expected to be a powerful and dynamic showcase.
While the official setlist is a closely guarded secret, the 12-to-15 minute performance slot requires the artist to prioritize their most recognizable tracks. This is a moment for mass appeal, not deep cuts. Lamar’s catalog is rich with Grammy-winning hits, making the selection process difficult but the final product guaranteed to be electric. His previous appearance as part of the Super Bowl LVI show in Los Angeles proved his ability to command the massive stadium stage.
Potential Setlist & Special Guests Speculation
The Super Bowl stage is famous for surprise guest appearances. Historically, headliners often bring out collaborators to join them for a track or two, adding an extra layer of star power and topical authority to the show. For Kendrick Lamar, speculation is rampant about which artists might join him in the Caesars Superdome. Potential entities and collaborators include:
- SZA: A frequent collaborator and fellow Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) alum, a joint performance would be a massive draw.
- Dr. Dre: As a mentor and hip-hop legend who headlined Super Bowl LVI, a passing-of-the-torch moment would be significant.
- Rihanna: Her previous Halftime Show was a massive success, and a surprise appearance would break the internet.
- Baby Keem: His cousin and frequent collaborator, a performance of their hit Family Ties is highly probable.
Regardless of the guests, the pressure is on Lamar to deliver a flawless, high-energy performance that is both culturally significant and technically perfect within the rigid time constraints. The entire performance is a multi-million dollar production, sponsored by Apple Music, and its success is measured not just in critical acclaim but also in the seamless transition back to the game's second half.
How to Watch and Not Miss the Halftime Show
To ensure you don't miss a single minute of Kendrick Lamar's performance, here is a simple guide based on the projected 8:00 p.m. ET start time:
- Tune In Early: The Super Bowl LIX will be broadcast on FOX. Pre-game coverage begins hours before kickoff. Tune in by 6:00 p.m. ET to catch the opening ceremonies and national anthem.
- Track the Game Clock: The Halftime Show starts immediately after the second quarter ends. Keep an eye on the clock; when the game clock hits 0:00 at the end of the second quarter, the 30-minute countdown begins.
- Time Zone Conversion: If you are on the West Coast, the show will start around 5:00 p.m. PT. For international viewers, check your local listings based on the 8:00 p.m. ET projection.
The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show is more than just a concert; it's a cultural phenomenon that blends the worlds of professional sports and global pop music. By understanding the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff and the strict 30-minute logistical window, you can accurately predict the moment the stage is set for Kendrick Lamar’s unforgettable performance in the Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025.
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