The Definitive 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show Timeline: 5 Critical Questions Answered (Kendrick Lamar & SZA)

The Super Bowl Halftime Show is arguably the single most-watched musical event of the year, and for the 2025 edition, fans are already buzzing about the confirmed headliner, Kendrick Lamar, and special guest SZA. With the spectacle set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Sunday, February 9, 2025, the most pressing question for viewers worldwide is: What is the exact start time for the performance?

As of today, December 10, 2025, while the official NFL kickoff time is locked in, the precise moment the Apple Music Halftime Show begins is a moving target, dependent on the flow of the first half of Super Bowl LIX. However, based on years of historical data and the official game schedule, we can provide a highly accurate and definitive time window for when Kendrick Lamar and SZA will take the stage.

Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show: The Essential Timeline & Performer Details

To understand the exact time the musical event begins, you must first know the core details of the game day schedule. The entire Super Bowl Sunday broadcast is an hours-long event, but the Halftime Show is the centerpiece, separating the first and second halves of the NFL Championship Game.

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Super Bowl LIX 2025 Game Day & Performer Profile

Here is the complete, essential profile for Super Bowl LIX, which will host the highly anticipated Halftime Show:

• Event: Super Bowl LIX (59)
• Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
• Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Kickoff Time (Official): 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) / 5:30 p.m. Central Time (CT)
• Halftime Show Headliner: Kendrick Lamar (Hip Hop Superstar, 17-time Grammy Award winner)
• Special Guest Performer: SZA (Grammy-winning R&B/Neo-Soul artist)
• National Anthem Performer: Jon Batiste (Grammy and Academy Award-winning musician)
• Broadcaster: FOX
• Halftime Show Sponsor: Apple Music

The selection of Kendrick Lamar, one of the most critically acclaimed rappers of his generation, and SZA, a powerful voice in modern R&B, signals a massive event for the Apple Music Halftime Show. Lamar previously performed during the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent, but this marks his first time as the sole headliner.

1. What Time Does the Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show Start? (The Estimated Window)

The most accurate answer is that the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show is projected to begin within a 30-minute window, typically starting after the two-minute warning of the second quarter and the subsequent end of the first half.

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The Halftime Show Start Time Estimate:

• Eastern Time (ET): Between 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET
• Central Time (CT): Between 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. CT
• Mountain Time (MT): Between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. MT
• Pacific Time (PT): Between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. PT

This estimated window is based on a standard NFL game. The first half of the Super Bowl, however, is often slightly longer than a regular-season game due to additional stoppages, penalties, and the sheer importance of the game, which can lead to more strategic time-outs and reviews. Therefore, tuning in closer to 8:00 p.m. ET is the safest bet to catch the opening moments of the Kendrick Lamar and SZA performance.

2. Why Can't the NFL Give an Exact Start Time?

Unlike a scheduled concert, the Super Bowl Halftime Show is tied directly to the live action of the football game. The performance cannot begin until the first two quarters (the first half) are completed. The length of the first half is variable, influenced by several factors:

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• Incomplete Passes/Out-of-Bounds Plays: The clock stops on these plays, extending the game time.
• Penalties: Penalty enforcement and discussions take time, pausing the clock.
• Scoring Plays: Touchdowns, extra points, and field goals all lead to commercial breaks and setup time, which prolong the first half.
• Coaches' Challenges and Replay Reviews: These official reviews can add significant, unpredictable minutes to the clock.
• Media Timeouts: The Super Bowl has more planned media timeouts than a standard game to accommodate high-value advertising spots.

Historically, the first half of the Super Bowl typically lasts between 90 minutes and 1 hour and 45 minutes from the official 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff. This variance is why the 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET window is the best possible prediction.

3. How Long is the Super Bowl Halftime Show and the Break?

The Super Bowl halftime break is a unique entity in sports, drastically different from the standard 12-minute halftime of a regular NFL game. The total break is extended to allow for the massive logistical undertaking of setting up and tearing down the stage.

• Total Halftime Break Duration: Approximately 30 minutes.
• Halftime Show Performance Length: The musical extravaganza itself is a tight, high-energy 12 to 15 minutes.

The remaining time is dedicated to the crew, who must efficiently convert the football field into a concert stage and then back again for the start of the third quarter. The speed and precision of the stage crew are a spectacle in themselves, often involving hundreds of people working in perfect synchronization.

4. Who Else is Performing on Super Bowl Sunday?

The Halftime Show is the main draw, but the pre-game ceremonies are equally star-studded and are essential viewing for the full Super Bowl LIX experience. These performances occur shortly before the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff, usually starting around 6:00 p.m. ET.

• The National Anthem: Jon Batiste, the multi-talented musician and New Orleans native, will perform the National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." His performance is particularly significant given the game's location in his hometown.
• "America the Beautiful": Another major artist, typically a country or pop star, performs "America the Beautiful" just before the National Anthem. The performer for this segment is usually announced closer to the game date.
• Coin Toss Ceremony: This segment often features NFL legends and Hall of Fame players.

Fans who want to catch all the musical performances, including the solemn and often powerful National Anthem by Jon Batiste, should tune in at least 30 minutes before the official kickoff time.

5. How to Ensure You Don't Miss Kendrick Lamar & SZA's Performance

Missing the Halftime Show is a common fear for casual viewers who tune in late. To ensure you catch every moment of Kendrick Lamar and SZA's performance, follow these simple viewing strategies:

1. Tune in by 7:45 p.m. ET: While the show is expected to start around 8:00 p.m. ET, tuning in early allows you to watch the final minutes of the first half, ensuring you don't miss the transition.
2. Monitor the Score and Clock: Keep an eye on the clock during the second quarter. Once the two-minute warning is announced, the first half is nearly over, and the Halftime Show is imminent.
3. Use Social Media: Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) will be flooded with "Halftime Show starting now" posts as soon as the first half ends. This is a reliable, real-time indicator.
4. Understand the Time Zones: If you are on the West Coast, remember the show is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, meaning it will begin around 5:00 p.m. PT. New Orleans is in the Central Time (CT) zone, so the local start time for the show will be around 7:00 p.m. CT.

Super Bowl LIX promises to be a cultural moment, blending the pinnacle of professional football with a groundbreaking hip hop and R&B performance. By following this definitive timeline, you will be prepared to witness the entire spectacle, from the opening kickoff to the final, unforgettable notes of the Apple Music Halftime Show.