Every February, millions tune for football and for spectacle. The NFL halftime show has grown from a marching band break into a global entertainment moment. It now draws almost as much attention as the game itself. Since the early 1990s, the show has become a scene for world class musicians. But which ones stood out? What performances made history and promoted culture among sport fans? Some of them delivered unforgettable moments. Here’s a close look at the best Super Bowl halftime shows. Each show on this list influenced the NFL’s brand and gave fans a reason to talk the next morning.
NFL Fan Expectations Change
In the early days, fans saw college bands and drill teams. Now, shows are full-blown concerts. Modern fans want more than music, they expect wow moments that go viral on social media. People involved in sports go beyond. From viral music clips to online games, the internet becomes a central place of entertainment on NFL game day. People bet on their favourite teams or play football themed casino games during matches. Websites offering 90 free spins no deposit see a spike in activity, as viewers seek easy breaks between sports, music, and fun. It’s another sign that halftime now reaches beyond the stadium.
According to Statista, in 2023, 18% of viewers watched competitions for the halftime show and 26% for commercials. That means nearly 44% of fans tuned in for reasons beyond football.. That number has steadily increased since 2010. It shows that halftime is now central to the viewing experience. NFL teams and partners also invest in pre-game content and behind-the-scenes promos. On game day social media drives speculation about surprise guests.
Michael Jackson – Super Bowl XXVII (1993)
The modern NFL halftime show era began on January 31, 1993. That night, over 91 million viewers watched Michael Jackson take the stage in Pasadena. Jackson opened with a long pause, simply standing still as the crowd roared for 90 seconds.
Then came Jam, Billie Jean, and Black or White. His final song, Heal the World, included a children’s choir and a giant inflatable globe. This moment marked a shift. The league realized that music stars could draw audiences who might not even watch football.
“Initially, Jackson’s management requested a $1 million performance fee, but the NFL rejected it… So you’re telling me that this show is going live to all those places where I’ll never do a concert? … Then, after a brief pause, Jackson gave his final answer: ‘I’m in.”
He changed the NFL’s approach forever. After this, major artists became a regular part of game day.
U2 – Super Bowl XXXVI (2002)
The best halftime shows leave an emotional mark. That’s exactly what U2 did on February 3, 2002 – months after the 9/11 attacks.
Bono and the band played songs Beautiful Day, MLK. A huge banner displayed names of the 9/11 victims behind them. Bono opened his jacket to reveal an American flag. The stadium burst into applause. Viewership reached over 84 million. U2 didn’t use dancers or fireworks and succeeded.
Super Bowl XLVII with Beyoncé
She performed in New Orleans in 2013. What followed was a high-energy performance. Critics noticed exact timing and flawless choreography. Her show included hits like Crazy in Love and Baby Boy.
Midway through, fans got a surprise. A Destiny’s Child reunion! Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams joined Beyoncé to sing Bootylicious and Independent Women. Social media exploded with Twitter recording over 268,000 tweets per minute during the show.
It became one of the top 10 halftime shows based on digital engagement. Stage visuals featured fire effects, LED screens, and tight camera work. The choreography became a template for future shows.
Prince Performance at Super Bowl XLI
Prince turned a storm into art. On February 4, 2007, in Miami, heavy rain poured throughout the entire halftime show. Rather than cancel or scale down, Prince played on and owned the moment.
He sang Let’s Go Crazy, covers of Foo Fighters and Bob Dylan, and finally performed Purple Rain. When he sang the last song, lightning flashed in the background. His silhouette projected against a large fabric sheet became the show’s lasting image.
Viewership reached nearly 91 million and close to 140 millions during the artist’s performance. The NFL has since ranked this show as one of the best Super Bowl halftime shows of all time.
Shakira & Jennifer Lopez at Super Bowl LIV (2020)
Two artists. Two cultures. One explosive show. The performance lasted just over 14 minutes, but included 20 songs.
Shakira danced with ropes and even crowd-surfed. J.Lo followed with hits like Jenny from the Block and Let’s Get Loud. She also performed alongside her daughter, Emme, during a political moment featuring a cage prop, drawing attention to immigration debates. The show reached over 104 million viewers.
Dr. Dre and Friends
Dr. Dre headlined the first hip-hop focused NFL halftime show at Super Bowl LVI (2022). He brought along other icons:
- Snoop Dogg
- Eminem
- Mary J. Blige
- Kendrick Lamar
- 50 Cent
The set featured a giant white building modeled after Compton homes. Fans heard Still D.R.E., In Da Club, Lose Yourself, and more. This show marked the league’s recognition of hip-hop as mainstream culture. 103.4 million viewers tuned in.
Conclusion
When people ask what was the best Super Bowl halftime show the answer depends on taste. Some prefer emotion, others want flash. Sport fans certainly want a surprise. Each performance on this list did more than fill 15 minutes. It created a new cultural moment or broke new ground.