What time is the Super Bowl 2026 on TV?

Super Bowl 2026 lands on Sunday, February 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and the broadcast window is already locked in. Viewers who want to plan their day need the exact kickoff hour, the network, and the streaming options that will carry the game. This article lays out every confirmed time slot and platform so nothing is left to guesswork.

Exact kickoff hour

The game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET, which translates to 3:30 p.m. PT on the West Coast. That window sits inside the usual late-afternoon slot that keeps prime-time viewers on the East Coast and still allows West Coast tailgates to finish before kickoff. The time has been public since the NFL released its 2025-2026 schedule, giving planners nearly a full year to lock in viewing parties.

Because the game falls on the second Sunday in February, daylight-saving time will already be in effect, removing any confusion about clocks shifting overnight. The league selected the slot to balance national ratings with West Coast convenience, and no adjustments are expected between now and game day.

Coaches and teams receive the identical schedule, so both locker rooms will operate on the same clock. Players and staff build their week around that single start time, from pregame meals to media windows, which keeps the entire production aligned from coast to coast.

Network and pregame block

Fox holds the national television rights for Super Bowl LX. Its linear broadcast begins with three-plus hours of pregame coverage at 2 p.m. ET, giving analysts time to break down both conference champions once they are set. The early start also lets the network run extended packages on the halftime show and in-stadium entertainment.

Local Fox affiliates will insert regional weather and traffic updates during the pregame window, especially useful for Bay Area viewers driving to Levi’s Stadium. National commercials will dominate breaks once the game begins, but the early pregame segment remains the place to catch extended interviews with coaches and players.

Fox Sports will manage the on-site production from a temporary compound built outside the stadium. Camera positions, drone feeds, and on-field reporter locations are already mapped, and the network will run full technical rehearsals the week before the game.

Streaming and free options

Viewers without cable can stream the Fox telecast on the Fox Sports app after signing in with a participating pay-TV account. For those seeking an ad-supported free path, Tubi will carry the identical broadcast, marking the first time a Super Bowl has been available on the service. The Tubi stream will include the same pregame start at 2 p.m. ET.

Both platforms will offer Spanish-language SAP audio, and closed-captioning will be enabled across all feeds. Mobile apps will allow multiview options on tablets and phones, letting users keep an eye on field-level shots while the main broadcast stays on the primary screen.

International viewers outside the U.S. will need separate rights holders, but U.S. fans can rely on the Tubi and Fox Sports combination without additional subscriptions. The league negotiated the free-stream clause to widen access, and early tests suggest the platforms can handle peak concurrent traffic.

Stadium logistics in Santa Clara

Levi’s Stadium sits roughly 40 miles south of downtown San Francisco, and local transit agencies are already coordinating extra train and bus service for February 8. Fans holding tickets should plan to arrive no later than 4 p.m. PT to clear security before the 3:30 p.m. kickoff.

Weather in the South Bay that weekend typically runs in the mid-60s, so tailgaters will not face extreme cold. Stadium officials have confirmed that all video boards will carry the Fox feed, giving in-seat viewers the same replays and graphics seen at home.

Parking lots open at 10 a.m. PT, and rideshare zones are restricted to specific exits to prevent congestion. The NFL will release a detailed fan guide closer to game week, but the core timeline—gates open three hours before kickoff—remains unchanged from prior Super Bowls at the venue.

Halftime and postgame windows

The halftime performance is scheduled to begin around 8:15 p.m. ET, giving the chosen artist a twelve-minute slot. Fox will stay live through the full performance and then return immediately for the second-half kickoff, eliminating extended commercial breaks that sometimes push the schedule later.

Once the game ends, the network plans a 30-minute postgame show anchored from the Levi’s Stadium field. Winning and losing locker-room reports will air within that block, followed by the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy.

Streaming viewers who remain on Tubi or the Fox Sports app will see the same postgame segment without added blackouts. The league’s media contracts require identical start and end times across platforms, so no one watching legally will miss the trophy ceremony.

West Coast viewing parties

Because kickoff lands at 3:30 p.m. PT, many California bars and restaurants are already advertising early seat reservations. The earlier hour lets fans finish watching before typical dinner traffic, which venue owners say increases table turns and keeps staff shifts manageable.

Local sports-radio hosts have begun mapping the best public-viewing locations, from downtown rooftops to beachside patios. Most will open doors at 1 p.m. PT to accommodate the 2 p.m. ET pregame start, giving West Coast viewers the same three-hour lead-in enjoyed on the East Coast.

House parties are also trending earlier. Hosts report planning kickoff snacks for 3 p.m. PT rather than the traditional evening spread, shifting the menu toward game-day classics that hold up in daylight. The earlier finish also lets cleanup happen before typical Sunday night routines resume.

Previous scheduling patterns

The NFL has started every Super Bowl between 6:30 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. ET since 2011, with only minor adjustments for special anniversaries. The 2026 slot follows that line, giving networks predictable inventory for advertisers and consistent viewer expectations year to year.

Earlier Super Bowls held in California, including Super Bowl 50 at the same stadium, used the identical 3:30 p.m. PT kickoff and drew strong local ratings. Fox’s production team will reference those past setups for camera angles and lighting plans, shortening the learning curve for a venue the network already knows.

League officials have signaled no plans to experiment with prime-time starts or split broadcasts in 2026. Stability in the schedule helps broadcasters sell packages early, and the current window has proven reliable for both household ratings and digital-stream metrics.

Tickets and credential timeline

Single-game tickets for Levi’s Stadium went on sale through the league’s verified resale platform in the spring of 2025. Face-value tickets for Super Bowl 2026 were distributed via a random drawing open to NFL season-ticket holders and members of the league’s rewards program.

Media credentials open in December 2025, giving outlets time to plan crews and book housing. Broadcasters receive priority placement in the auxiliary press box, while national columnists operate from temporary workrooms built on the suite level.

Players and coaches receive their credential packets the week of the game, along with detailed itineraries that mirror the 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Every credential carries an embedded RFID chip that logs entry times, helping security maintain the tight schedule required for live television.

Next steps for viewers

Mark February 8, 2026, on the calendar and set a reminder for the 2 p.m. ET pregame start on Fox. If you plan to stream, confirm that your Tubi app is updated and that your Fox Sports login works before game week. Early preparation removes last-minute technical issues and guarantees you catch every segment from opening kickoff to the final whistle.

Planning your game day

Knowing what time is the Super Bowl 2026 removes the guesswork from party planning, travel bookings, and streaming setups. The confirmed 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff, Fox broadcast, and free Tubi stream give every U.S. viewer a clear path to the game. Set the reminders now, and the only remaining decision is what snacks to serve at 3:30 p.m. PT.