The Super Bowl LIX halftime show: Where will it stand amongst the greats?

The Super Bowl LIX halftime show: Where will it stand amongst the greats?


by Luke Frederick
Content Executive

17 January 2025

The Super Bowl LIX halftime show: Where will it stand amongst the greats?         

The Super Bowl remains one of the world’s top sporting events – a cultural phenomenon that brings together millions of viewers across the globe. And the Super Bowl LIX (59) in February will surely uphold this.  

Fans can always expect a field packed with action, shocks, upsets, drama, and edge-of-your-seat plays. 

But while the action on the field draws the most attention, the halftime show has quickly evolved into one of the main attractions of the event.  

As the players take a break to gear up for the second half of football, for around 15 minutes, spectacle can sometimes eclipse the game itself. 

Super Bowl LIX promises to deliver another unforgettable halftime performance, likely leaving fans and critics alike wondering – where will it rank amongst the greatest halftime shows in history? 

Let’s look forward to the highly anticipated performance of Super Bowl 2025 while revisiting some of the most iconic halftime shows the world has witnessed. 

Who will perform at the Super Bowl LIX? 

The Super Bowl kicks off at 6.30 pm ET (11.30 pm GMT), with the halftime show beginning around 8 pm ET (1 am GMT). This year, it’s Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar who will take centre stage to electrify the crowd for the halftime show. 

Packing a discography of some of hip-hop’s most dynamic lyrics and conscious storytelling, it’s not hard to see why fans are so eager to see “K-Dot” hit the stage in February.  

This year in particular, Kendrick has been on an arguably undistributed run in the rap scene, being one of the most talked-about artists in 2024 – due to his rap “clash” with Drake that drew in eyes and ears all over the world.  

With Kendrick, there’s really no telling what fans could be in for. Will the whole stadium be bouncing to “HUMBLE” and screaming out the lyrics to “Money Trees” and “Not Like Us”, or will Kendrick take the audience on a journey through the powerful messages rooted in his tracks like “Alright” and “i”? 

Kendrick has consistently pushed musical boundaries, earning him a reputation as one of the greatest artists of his generation. The Super Bowl LIX may very well cement this to a global audience.  

The best halftime shows in Super Bowl history 

The Super Bowl halftime show has a legacy of delivering moments that transcend sports and enter the realm of pop culture history.  

Every year brings something unique – The Rolling Stones’ 2006 performance that delivered rock royalty to the masses, Gloria Estefan, Stevie Wonder, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s eclectic mix of soulful talent in 1999, and Diana Ross’s trailblazing showcase of live vocals in 1966. 

But among the vast sea of halftime shows we’ve been lucky enough to see, there are a few performances that have managed to etch themselves into the realms of greatness: 

  • Paul McCartney (2005) 

A living legend, Paul McCartney’s 2005 halftime show took the audience through a melody of his classic hits. The fireworks bursting in the sky along to “Live and Let Die” and the fans illuminating the stadium with flashlights to “Hey Jude” are mere reflections of how his music resonates with fans across generations.  

  • Coldplay, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars (2016) 

The 2016 halftime show brought Coldplay’s euphoric melodies and matched them with Beyoncé’s commanding presence and Bruno Mars’s electrifying charisma. Hearing the crowd singing “Yellow” before being propelled into ‘Queen B’ and Bruno’s collab of “Uptown Funk” and “Formations” is not something we’ll forget anytime soon. 

  • Rihanna (2023) 

After a seven-year hiatus from music to focus on her beauty brand, Rihanna lit up the Super Bowl stage in 2023. From the bold outfits to the levitating stage, “RiRi’s” sleek and captivating set reminded everyone why she remains a global superstar – not to mention that she did all this whilst pregnant with her second child, a reveal that took place during the performance. 

  • U2 (2002) 

This 2002 performance came in the wake of the devastating 9/11 tragedy, and looking back, the NFL made the right decision in choosing U2 to bring some healing and reflection with their tribute performance. The band struck a deeply emotional chord as they paid honour to the victims, paired with their iconic hits like “Beautiful Day” for a powerful 15 minutes at the Super Bowl.  

  • Beyoncé (2013) 

Although mentioned already, it was actually Beyoncé’s first-ever Super Bowl performance in 2013 that was arguably her best. Not that she wasn’t already regarded as a global superstar, but her time on stage definitely showcased her unique talent and presence. And, of course, when Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams shot up from under the floor to run us through some Destiny’s Child anthems, they undoubtedly set a benchmark for future halftime acts. 

  • Michael Jackson (1993) 

Speaking of setting a benchmark, the “King of Pop” himself, Michael Jackson, was the one who revolutionised the halftime show in 1993. Michael transformed what was once a moment of marching bands and local acts, into a major entertainment event. With his unmatched showmanship and iconic hits like “Billie Jean”, “Jam”, and “Heal the World”, Jackson set a new standard for what the halftime show could – and inevitably would – be. 

  • Dr. Dre & Friends (2022) 

In the 2022 halftime show, Dr. Dre wrote a love letter to hip-hop and read it aloud in front of the masses. His exhilarating performance featured legends like 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. This groundbreaking performance highlighted the cultural impact of hip-hop and its enduring legacy. Simply seeing Dre sit at the piano to play “Still D.R.E.” and watching 50 hanging upside down to rap “In Da Club” says it all! 

  • Prince (2007) 

It’s hard to pick “the best halftime show”, and many have their personal favourite in their heart. That being said, one that’s widely regarded as the greatest halftime show of all time is Prince’s 2007 performance, which was nothing short of magical. The raw talent that rang through in his guitar playing was the pinnacle of musical excellence. He charged up the crowd with a mix of his own hits and covers of other great anthems, before signing off with a rendition of “Purple Rain” in the pouring rain – a transcendent moment that, some say, has yet to be topped. 

Betting on niche markets 

With incredible moments like the halftime show, the Super Bowl is not only a sporting phenomenon, but an overall entertainment juggernaut. And this makes it a hub for unique betting opportunities.  

Beyond the traditional game-related wagers, the halftime show has become a popular market for proposition bets, where fans can place bets on various aspects of the halftime performance.  

This could be anything from betting what the opening song might be, to which potential guests might pop up on stage alongside the headliner. You can even wage on the colour of the leading performer’s outfit.   

Similarly, the national anthem – performed this year by jazz genius, Jon Batiste – offers opportunities to wager on things like its duration, or whether the singer will embellish certain notes.  

These niche markets add an extra layer of excitement for viewers, blending entertainment with sports betting. So much so, that it’s important for brands looking to capitalise on the Super Bowl’s massive audience to consider tailoring their marketing efforts to target niche betting audiences.  

Consider the impact of aligning your content with popular search terms and user intent, to engage bettors who are seeking information and odds for these unconventional markets.  

 

The Super Bowl LIX halftime show is poised to add another great chapter to the event’s storied history, potentially joining the ranks of the most unforgettable performances.  

From Michael Jackson’s game-changing 1993 performance to Prince’s ethereal 2007 show, each year’s act has contributed to the rich legacy of entertainment that the NFL Super Bowl continues to uphold. 

As fans eagerly await the halftime show, this is a golden opportunity for marketers to align their strategies with the excitement of the Super Bowl, ensuring their brands remain at the forefront of sports bettors’ minds during one of the most-watched events of the year. 

So, whether you’re tuning in for the game, the halftime show, or the chance to win a niche bet, Super Bowl LIX promises to be a spectacle to remember. Let the countdown to kick-off begin! 

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