NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell extended an open invitation to Taylor Swift to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show, declaring she’s “welcome at any time” during a Wednesday appearance on the Today Show.
“We would always love to have Taylor play,” Goodell stated (as per Rolling Stone). “She is a special, special talent and obviously, she would be welcome at any time.” When pressed about official plans for Swift’s potential halftime show performance, the commissioner remained diplomatically vague, offering only that “it’s a maybe.”
The timing appears particularly favourable for a Swift halftime show appearance. The pop superstar is set to release her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, on October 3rd, providing fresh material for a potential Super Bowl performance. With the album arriving too late for consideration at the 2026 Grammy Awards, her schedule would likely accommodate the February 2026 Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Goodell acknowledged that the ultimate decision rests with Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation company produces the halftime show. “I’m waiting on my friend Jay-Z to help me with that one,” he explained. “It’s in his hands. I’m waiting for the smoke to come out.”
Swift’s relationship with the NFL extends well beyond her high-profile romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, whom she recently became engaged to. Her NFL connections date back to 2006, when she performed the National Anthem at the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game. She later appeared at the NFL’s Opening Kickoff event in New Orleans in 2010.
The artist has strategically used NFL platforms for major announcements in recent years. She teased “Me!” during the 2019 NFL draft and unveiled the Midnights trailer during a Thursday night game between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals in 2022. Her regular attendance at Chiefs games has only strengthened her association with the league.
Goodell didn’t hide his personal appreciation for Swift’s music, proudly declaring himself “definitely a Swiftie” during the interview.
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Swift’s name has circulated as a likely halftime show candidate for several years, with industry observers noting her massive global appeal and proven ability to deliver spectacle-worthy performances.
