5 Must-Know Details About The Orange Bowl Halftime Show 2025: Performer, Setlist Rumors, And CFP Significance

The Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday, January 9, 2025, was far more than just a high-stakes football game; it was a full-scale entertainment spectacle, highlighted by a massive country music presence. This year’s event held particular weight as the College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinal, ensuring a record-breaking audience was tuned in to see not only the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions but also the highly anticipated halftime performance. The entire event was a showcase of rising stars in the country music and Broadway worlds, setting a vibrant tone for the New Year's bowl season.

The decision to feature a major country music star for the Halftime Show, continuing a recent trend, cemented the game's reputation for delivering top-tier entertainment alongside championship-level college football. The lineup, from the pre-game Fan Fest to the main event, was curated to give attendees and viewers a fresh, high-energy experience at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Orange Bowl 2025 Entertainment Lineup: The Confirmed Stars

The 2025 Orange Bowl brought together a diverse group of talented performers, ensuring the atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium was electric from the pre-game festivities through the final whistle. The entertainment was meticulously organized, with a clear focus on giving fans a memorable experience.

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Nate Smith: The Confirmed Halftime Headliner

The centerpiece of the event was the official Halftime Show, headlined by country music sensation Nate Smith. Smith, a rising star in the genre, was tasked with igniting the crowd during the pivotal break in the CFP Semifinal action. His selection follows a string of impressive career milestones and chart success, making him a compelling choice for one of college football’s biggest stages.

• Full Name: Nathaniel Dean Smith
• Role: Halftime Show Performer
• Key Achievements: Named ACM New Male Artist of the Year and Billboard's 2024 Country Power Players Rookie of the Year.
• Signature Hits Expected: Fans were eager to hear his multi-platinum, chart-topping singles, including "Whiskey on You" and "World on Fire," as well as his fourth number one hit, "Fix What You Didn't Break."
• Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida.
• Production: The show was produced by ACT Productions, a long-time partner of the Orange Bowl, ensuring a high-quality visual and audio spectacle.

Smith’s performance marked a significant moment in his career, placing him on the same stage that has hosted major acts in previous years, continuing the Orange Bowl's tradition of booking contemporary, high-demand artists.

The Full Entertainment Supporting Cast

The entertainment wasn't limited to the 15-minute halftime window. The entire gameday experience was packed with performances, adding layers of topical authority to the event's production value:

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• Capital One Orange Bowl Fan Fest Headliner: Country star Lauren Alaina headlined the pre-game Fan Fest. This free, high-energy concert took place outside the stadium and served as the main tailgate attraction for thousands of fans before the 7:30 PM EST kickoff.
• National Anthem Singer: The "Star-Spangled Banner" was performed by Broadway musical theater star Ellie Rose Pulsifer (also known as Ellie Rose). Her powerful rendition set a patriotic and dramatic tone for the start of the College Football Playoff Semifinal game.

The Significance of the 2025 Orange Bowl: A CFP Semifinal Stage

Unlike many previous years, the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl was designated as a College Football Playoff Semifinal game. This status dramatically increased the national and international viewership, transforming the Halftime Show from a standard bowl game performance into a major national broadcast event. This elevation is key to understanding the caliber of the performers booked.

The game featured a thrilling matchup between the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the No. 6 seed Penn State Nittany Lions. The winner would advance to the CFP National Championship, meaning the Halftime Show took place during the most intense part of the evening—the moment of reflection and adjustment for the teams before the final push.

Why Nate Smith Was the Perfect Choice

Choosing Nate Smith for the Halftime Show reflects a strategic move by the Orange Bowl Committee and producers (ACT Productions and IPS) to connect with a massive, diverse American audience. Country music continues to dominate streaming and radio, and Smith's style—often described as rich, warm, and focused on everyday life stories—resonates deeply. His songs like "Wildfire," which went viral, and his consistent chart success ensured a recognizable and energetic performance for the tens of thousands in attendance and the millions watching on ESPN.

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His performance was a moment of national exposure, solidifying his status as a breakthrough artist in the music industry. The blend of high-stakes sports and contemporary music talent creates a unique synergy that defines the modern bowl game experience.

Looking Back: Recent Orange Bowl Halftime Performers

Nate Smith joins an established list of high-profile artists who have graced the Orange Bowl stage. Reviewing the recent history of performers provides context for the consistent quality of the entertainment:

• 2024: The Halftime Show featured a different genre, often showcasing pop or rock acts.
• Recent Years: Past performers have included acts like Fitz and The Tantrums and Walker Hayes, demonstrating a willingness to book artists from Pop, Rock, and Country genres to appeal to a broad demographic of college football fans.

The 2025 commitment to a strong country music lineup (Smith and Alaina) suggests a current trend in major college football bowl game entertainment, recognizing the genre's massive appeal across the country. The entire production, from the lighting by IPS to the sound engineering, was designed to handle the scale of a CFP Semifinal, ensuring a flawless show for all performers.

In conclusion, the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl was a triumph of sport and spectacle. From the thrilling matchup between Notre Dame and Penn State to the powerful vocals of Ellie Rose Pulsifer, the pre-game energy of Lauren Alaina, and the headline performance by Nate Smith, the event delivered on its promise of world-class entertainment. The Halftime Show, in particular, served as a powerful platform for one of country music's fastest-rising stars, cementing the Orange Bowl's place as a premier destination for both football and music fans.