NEW ORLEANS — Multi-Grammy winning artists are set to take the halftime show stage on Sunday for Super Bowl LIX.
Rap megastar Kendrick Lamar is the headlining act and will be joined by R&B singer-songwriter SZA.
Here’s what to expect during Super Bowl LIX’s halftime show Sunday, Feb. 9.
Who is performing the halftime show?
Lamar will headline the Apple Music Halftime Show this year, performing for more than 100 million viewers during one of the most-watched television events of the year.
The halftime show itself is one of the biggest musical events in the world, with about 1 out of every 3 Americans tuning in.
SZA will be joining him on the big stage after being featured in his newest album GNX. They’re also preparing to embark on a 19-city North American tour this spring and summer. The Grand National Tour kicks off April 19 in Minneapolis and concludes June 18 in Washington, D.C.
Who is Kendrick Lamar, and who is joining him for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show?
The rap megastar, who has won 17 Grammys, said he’s looking forward to bringing hip-hop to the NFL’s championship game, where he performed as a guest artist with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem in 2022.
How much do Super Bowl performers get paid?
The NFL may cover travel costs for artists, but maintains its long-standing tradition of not paying performers for the pregame and halftime shows beyond the minimum union scale requirements. Under union agreements, this typically amounts to around $1,000 per day for rehearsals and the performance itself. That means no splashy appearance fees for these major artists.
However, the real value of the Super Bowl halftime show lies in its unprecedented exposure. The 2024 performance headlined by Usher drew massive viewership, continuing the trend set by Rihanna’s 2023 show which attracted 115 million viewers. For artists, this exposure typically translates into significant increases in music sales and streaming numbers.
Kendrick Lamar is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage, having previously performed as part of the historic 2022 hip-hop showcase alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Mary J. Blige. During that appearance, all performers experienced substantial streaming increases, with some artists seeing jumps of over 140% in streaming numbers.
How much does a Super Bowl halftime show cost?
While performers don’t receive direct compensation, the production costs for the halftime show are substantial. Recent performances have seen budgets ranging from $10-20 million, covering everything from elaborate stage designs to pyrotechnics.
The NFL shoulders most of these production expenses, although some artists, such as The Weeknd, have said they’ve contributed some of their own money to help foot the massive bill.