The Super Bowl is one of the only sporting events globally that’s capable of attracting both the avid and non-avid football fan. Somewhere in between the contest, music fans become dialed into the game.
That’s when the halftime show comes into play, as a megastar from the music realm takes center stage. But how long do performers get? And will Usher and his upcoming Sunday show give us the longest performance ever?
How Long Are Super Bowl Halftime Shows?
The average halftime show is capped at 13 minutes.
That means any artist who performs will more than likely be unable to sing their entire catalog of hit songs.
Rihanna faced this reality during her solo performance last year in Super Bowl 57. The Grammy Award winner and iconic R&B singer managed to squeeze in 12 snippets of her songs, including her verses on featured tracks “All of the Lights” and “Run This Town” the latter of which originally features her alongside Kanye West and Jay-Z.
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She ended the evening in Glendale, AZ with her famed hit “Diamonds.”
Even the Super Bowl 56 halftime show that featured legendary Hip-Hop artists Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and R&B legend Mary J. Blige was given a less-than-15-minute time frame. Even shows that featured A-List guests, from Maroon 5 in Super Bowl 53 (Grammy nominee Travis Scott) to Katy Perry in Super Bowl 49 (Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott), were given limited time frames.
Could Usher shatter a new halftime record come Sunday in Las Vegas?
Usher’s Super Bowl 58 Halftime Show
Per Entertainment Weekly, Usher has negotiated the idea of hitting 15 minutes. By making that mark, the Grammy-winning R&B star will set a new record for longest halftime show ever.
“I can’t explain why, but it’s a funny thing that I was able to do and craft,” Usher explained to EW ahead of the big game. “That was a huge strategic thing that happened between me and my agency.”
Considering the number of hits Usher has created, he could very well hit that mark.
Usher has produced nine Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles in his career. He’s claimed eight Grammy wins. His first came in 2001 for his smash hit “U Remind Me,” and his most recent win was for Best R&B performance in 2013.
There’s also been rumblings about some special guests he may be planning to bring out. Usher has blurted out the names Lil Jon and Ludacris, who assisted him on his mega hit “Yeah!.”
Meanwhile, Usher has performed with other superstars across the music industry. He’s additionally known for his famed duet “My Boo” with fellow Grammy winner Alicia Keys and, in 2024, he teamed with another Grammy winner in H.E.R. for the soulful hit “Risk it All.”
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Time will tell how long Usher’s halftime show will run. But as he told EW, he’s aiming to have his show be remembered along the same lines of those headlined by Michael Jackson (1993), Prince (2007), Beyonce (2013), and Rihanna (2023).
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