What if Metallica were to provide the Super Bowl half-time show in 2026? The rumor has been swirling for weeks, but fans of the American thrash metal band want to believe it! And they're not the only ones. Usher, who headlined the 2024 show in Nevada, recently confided that he too would like to see Metallica headline the half-time show at the next Super Bowl, scheduled for February 8 in California.
Who will provide the half-time show for the next Super Bowl, scheduled for February 8, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, San Francisco? For the moment, no official announcement has been made. But the rumors are flying. From Taylor Swift to Jay-Z, from Miley Cyrus to Chappell Roan, the predictions are multiplying. One band is also making regular appearances. It's Metallica, the famous thrash metal combo whose career is closely linked to the city of San Francisco, where the next Super Bowl will be held. San Rafael, on San Francisco Bay, is home to the band's famous"HQ".
Metallica is very attached to California. In fact, the American band has given numerous concerts there. These include a series of shows at San Francisco's Filmore for the band's 30th anniversary, S&M2 recorded at San Francisco's Chase Center in 2019, and two more performances at the Chase Center in December 2021 for Metallica's 40th anniversary. More recently, on June 20, 2025, the"Four Horsemen" took over Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, the stadium that will host the Super Bowl in 2026, as part of their"M72 World Tour".
Playing at half-time at the Super Bowl in California would be a dream come true for Metallica. As Lars Ulrich, the band's drummer, recently confided on the SiriusXM radio show. " First of all, we'd do it. Secondly, doing it in San Francisco would be a dream come true and would be the ideal solution. For someone who has represented San Francisco all over the world and has been an advocate for San Francisco and our love of the Bay Area for decades, it's an ideal option," said Lars Ulrich, adding, however, that the decision was not Metallica's to make.
The decision will rest with the NFL, which has relied more heavily on pop and hip-hop artists in recent years. These include Kendrick Lamar last year, Usher in 2024, Rihanna in 2023, The Weeknd in 2021, and a line-up featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar in 2022. The last time rock was featured at the Super Bowl was in 2010 with The Who.
So, will the NFL change its tune and dare to invite a metal band to the Super Bowl? At least, that's whatUsher wants. Recently interviewed by TMZ on the subject, the artist - who provided the half-time show in 2024 - supports the candidacy of the Californian thrash metal band. Asked"Who would you like to see on stage at the game in San Francisco?" Usher answered without hesitation " Metallica ". In any case, Metallica 's schedule would allow him to play at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on September 8.
After a tour of Australia in the autumn, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo will be back on the road in Europe, but only in the spring of 2026. For the moment, the combo has no plans for next February...
We'll have to wait a little longer to find out whether Metallica will have the honor of playing the half-time show at Super Bowl 2026 in California. Usually, the name of the artist or band is revealed in the autumn, between September and October.
