Justin Bieber and Harry Styles have become the two most talked-about names in speculation over who will headline the Super Bowl LXI halftime show, even though the NFL has not made any official announcement.
The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the few performances capable of stopping much of the world for roughly twelve minutes. Every year, fan speculation over who will take the stage begins months before the game itself is played, and this year Bieber and Styles are the two names coming up again and again among fans.
Two stars who have never headlined the show
Despite being two of the biggest names in international pop for years, neither Bieber nor Styles has ever headlined a Super Bowl halftime show.
Bieber's case feels especially significant to fans, according to the source, after he returned to the spotlight with new projects and recent performances, leading many followers to believe the halftime show could be one of the major milestones he still has left to achieve.
Something similar applies to Styles. After filling stadiums around the world with his Love On Tour and establishing himself as one of the most powerful live performers working today, many fans are imagining what a twelve-minute set mixing songs such as "As It Was," "Watermelon Sugar," "Sign of the Times" and "Late Night Talking" might sound like.
For now, both remain possibilities rather than confirmed bookings.
Where and when the game will be held
The next Super Bowl will take place on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, a venue that has already hosted some of the most memorable halftime shows of recent years.
Since Roc Nation, the company led by Jay-Z, began collaborating with the NFL on producing the halftime show, each selection has turned into a global conversation that extends far beyond sport, which helps explain why any name that starts circulating generates so much anticipation.
Other names in the running
Although Bieber and Styles are generating the most conversation, they are not the only artists mentioned in the speculation.
Various American media outlets have also floated names including Taylor Swift, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Miley Cyrus and Cardi B. None of them has been officially announced by organizers. Every year a list of favorites emerges, fans place their own bets on social media, and often the eventual choice comes as a surprise.
A high bar set by past performers
Landing the halftime show slot has never been more difficult. In recent years, performers including Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Beyonce and The Weeknd have taken the stage, in shows that became major cultural events in their own right. That track record means any new name announced will inevitably face comparisons to what came before.
The wait continues
Although no artist has been confirmed, the debate is already fully underway. Bieber's fans are picturing a triumphant comeback, while Styles' fans hope to see him conquer one of the few major stages he has yet to headline. Meanwhile, the NFL has stayed silent on the matter.
