Super Bowl Halftime: From Marching Bands to Global Stars

The Super Bowl halftime show has evolved dramatically from its humble beginnings. Initially, these performances featured college marching bands and patriotic themes, with groups like Florida A&M and Grambling State regularly participating in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, productions were themed, celebrating jazz, Hollywood, and even cartoon characters, with recurring performers like Up With People.

Everything changed in 1993 when Michael Jackson headlined, transforming the halftime show into a major global entertainment event. This performance proved the immense draw of a major pop star during the intermission, prompting the NFL to book increasingly prominent artists.

Since Jackson's iconic set, numerous global superstars have graced the halftime stage. This trend continues with global superstar Bad Bunny set to headline Super Bowl LX in 2026, marking a significant moment as one of the few non-English dominant artists to perform. This ongoing evolution underscores the halftime show's status as a significant cultural event in its own right.