What Time Is the Super Bowl 2027? Kickoff Time & Full Schedule

What Time Has the Super Bowl Started Historically?

The Super Bowl has not always kicked off at 6:30 PM. In the early days of the game, the Super Bowl was played in the afternoon — sometimes as early as 2:30 PM Eastern. As the game grew in cultural and commercial importance through the 1980s and 1990s, the NFL moved kickoff to prime time to maximize television audiences. The shift to evening kickoffs also allows for a longer pregame broadcast window that itself generates substantial advertising revenue.

The modern standard of approximately 6:30 PM ET was essentially locked in by the mid-2000s. In recent Super Bowls, kickoff has been anywhere from 6:22 PM to 6:38 PM ET depending on the length of pregame ceremonies. The NFL schedules kickoff for "approximately 6:30 PM" but exact timing shifts based on the national anthem, coin toss ceremony, and broadcaster requirements.

For the complete historical kickoff time data, see our Super Bowl kickoff time history page.

How Long Is the Super Bowl?

A typical Super Bowl game lasts approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to 4 hours and 15 minutes from kickoff to the final whistle. The extended length compared to regular-season games is attributable to additional commercial time purchased by advertisers, the extended halftime show, and the ceremonial elements built into the Super Bowl broadcast.

Based on an expected 6:30 PM ET kickoff, fans should plan for the game to conclude somewhere between 10:15 PM and 10:45 PM ET. Overtime, if it occurs, can push the final whistle to 11:00 PM or later. The post-game trophy ceremony and MVP interview add another 20–30 minutes to the broadcast.

When Does the Halftime Show Start?

The halftime show typically begins approximately 28–35 minutes into the second quarter — meaning the halftime whistle usually blows around 8:00–8:15 PM ET. The performance itself lasts approximately 12–14 minutes, though setup, teardown, and transition time means halftime runs 25–30 minutes total. Kickoff for the second half is typically around 8:30–8:45 PM ET.

Recent halftime shows have started between 8:00 PM and 8:20 PM ET, depending on the pace of play in the first half. Games with long drives and few penalties tend to push halftime later; fast-scoring or turnover-heavy first halves can bring halftime closer to 7:55 PM ET.

For halftime show history and rankings, see our Super Bowl halftime show guide. For full date information, visit our Super Bowl date page.