Ahead of Jay-Z taking the SoFi Stadium stage on Friday (Oct. 23), Puck reported early Tuesday (Oct. 20) that Hov will recommend himself as the headlining performer for the Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show next year.
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Jay has served as the NFL’s live music entertainment strategist through Roc Nation since 2019, and re-upped the multi-million-dollar deal in 2024, which allows him to curate and produce the halftime show.
Billboard has reached out to Roc Nation and NFL reps for comment.
If Puck‘s report is true, it will be Jay-Z’s first time on the Super Bowl stage in his decorated career. The report mentioned Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus as other artists that were in the Super Bowl race against Hov.
“He just pulled a Dick Cheney,” one person wrote on X, referencing Dick Cheney leading the search to find George Bush a running mate in the 2000 presidential election, but ended up choosing himself as VP.
Jay-Z has a pair of shows in SoFi Stadium on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, where it’s possible he could make the Super Bowl announcement in front of the Los Angeles fans.
“I’m the only one not mad at this? As long as he DOESNT perform Empire State of mind I’m good with it,” another fan wrote on X. “I do think Jay Z is VASTLY overestimating his popularity in today’s climate tho lol.”
One more chimed in: “I’m not ready for all the ‘Who even knows 5 Jay-Z songs’ discourse. His half time show will be top 5 all time.”
Jay-Z has been outside in 2026. He returned to the stage at Roots Picnic in Philly in May, and then took over Yankee Stadium for a star-studded trifecta of shows in July, which saw Rihanna, Beyoncé, Nas, Eminem and more join him.
The Brooklyn rap legend headed overseas to reunite with fans in Paris and London. Jay teamed up with Rick Rubin for the JAŸ-Z in 8 docuseries, which premiered in September and found him opening up, reflecting on and breaking down an array of tracks from his discography over the course of eight episodes on HBO Max.
If the Super Bowl report holds up, Jay will be the first rapper since Kendrick Lamar to headline the halftime show, which the Compton rapper did in 2025, and comes more than 30 years since Hov’s Reasonable Doubt debut in ’96. Bad Bunny took over the Super Bowl stage in Santa Clara, Calif., in February.
Find more reactions to speculation of Jay-Z performing at Super Bowl LXI below.
Finally it’s happening a Jay-Z superbowl 🔥 he got the hits
— M1LA 𓃵𝕏 (@petermila09) October 20, 2026
@NFL #superbowl #superbowllxi https://t.co/NAaMV9pUHV
The disrespect jay z receives for no reason is always so crazzy to me
— SOT (@thanos_nigeria) October 20, 2026
When Dr Dre, Snoop, Eminem and 50 cent headlined the super bowl, they weren't on the type of run Jay Z is currently on so why the unnecessary drama if he decides to headline next one?
— Unruly Ray. (@BighomieRay) October 20, 2026
jay-z as the halftime show headliner i’m not gagging.
— a✨ (@prairieefairyy) October 20, 2026
So y’all wasn’t there when we were getting the old ass Tom Petty for the Super Bowl, talking about Jay Z doesn’t have universal songs lol
— Ubong Ekpo (@EkpoNeptune) October 20, 2026
everybody complaining about jay z doing the super bowl with their bad takes at clout just aren't real hip hop music fans lmao
— 💗 🦋 (@taureancoded) October 20, 2026
People mad at Jay-Z for putting himself on the Super Bowl, why not! Everybody want you to do for others but when you do something for yourself it’s a problem.
— GOT DAMN SAMM! (@djyoungsamm) October 20, 2026