Green Day to Kick Off Super Bowl LX Opening Ceremony

The NFL has confirmed that punk rock legends Green Day will perform during the opening ceremony of Super Bowl LX. The event is set for February 8, 2026, at California's Levi's Stadium. In a unique twist, the band's setlist of classic hits will serve as the soundtrack for a procession of former Super Bowl MVP award winners.

This booking represents a significant homecoming for the trio. Green Day—frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tré Cool—formed in the East Bay suburb of Rodeo in 1986. Their journey from the 924 Gilman Street punk collective to multi-platinum, Grammy-winning stadium rockers was cemented by albums like "Dookie" and the politically charged rock opera "American Idiot." Armstrong expressed the band's enthusiasm, stating, "To help open the biggest game in sports so close to where we started is unreal. We're thrilled to share the stage with these iconic athletes and set the tone for the night." The NFL's choice to feature a band with such a storied, anti-establishment pedigree alongside its athletic heroes is a notable evolution for the league's entertainment strategy.

According to the league, the pairing is deeply symbolic. "Having Green Day, a cultural force born from this very region, help us honor 60 years of Super Bowl history and its most valuable players creates a powerful narrative," said Tim Tubito, the NFL's senior director of event presentation. The ceremony will air live at 6 p.m. ET on NBC, Telemundo, and their streaming platforms. Media analysts see this as a strategic demographic play. "This fusion isn't accidental," notes Dr. Lena Shaw, a media studies professor. "It leverages rock's enduring appeal to bridge generations, aiming to retain traditional viewers while attracting those who might tune in primarily for the musical performance. It effectively expands the event's cultural footprint beyond the game itself."

The opening segment will lead into the previously announced pregame musical performances. Charlie Puth is scheduled to sing the national anthem, with Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones performing "America the Beautiful" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing," respectively. The chosen venue, Levi's Stadium, has ample experience with productions of this scale. Opened in 2014 as the home of the San Francisco 49ers, it previously hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016 and major concerts from artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, making it a proven stage for blending sports and entertainment spectacles.