How long is the Super Bowl? 

The NFL can be perceived as a league that is difficult to watch by people who are not fans of American football due to the stop-start nature of the game. 

The unfolding of such a tactical sport in American football lends itself to intriguing tactical battles between both players and coaches. 

This does mean that it goes on for longer than other team sports – such as football – but with plenty of entertainment in between.

The Super Bowl half-time show has become one of the most significant music events of the year with millions of viewers watching for the live concert alone. 

So, how long is the Super Bowl? What is the duration of the match and how about the halftime show? 

Read on below for everything you need to know about the length of the Super Bowl. 

The Super Bowl half-time show has become one of the most significant music events of the year with millions of viewers watching for the live concert alone

How long is the Super Bowl? 

A standard NFL typically lasts around three hours if the game does not require overtime – but the Super Bowl is no standard affair. 

There also more adverts – with special commercials featuring celebrities – making for one of the most lucrative commercial slots for any brand thanks to the sheer number of viewers who tune into the event across the globe.

This means that a 30-second TV spot is expected to cost around $7million – but the total audience often makes it worth the significant outlay that is required to secure an advert. 

Aware of the opportunity to raise their public profile, a number of celebrities also appear in the commercials, with the likes of Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Tom Brady and Jennifer Lopez featuring in an advert for Dunkin’ Donuts last year.  

How long is the halftime show? 

The clock stops at various points in an NFL game but most of the addition time in the match comes because of the extended halftime show.

The longest Super Bowl in history was four hours and 14 minutes in total – but this was due to a power outage at the New Orleans Superdome during Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 – which, coincidentally, is where this year’s edition will be held. 

Halftime during the regular season is 15 minutes long, although the length at the Super Bowl is typically doubled, due to the extra time it takes set up and take down the stage and other props.

Kendrick Lamar will be performing the Super Bowl halftime show this year, having previously played at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show in 2022, which was headlined by Dr. Dre. 

Kendrick Lamar will be performing the Super Bowl halftime show this year, having previously played at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show in 2022

The Super is Bowl set to kick off at 11:30pm GMT (6:30pm ET), with the first half likely to be coming to a close around 00:45 GMT (7:45pm ET)

It saw a staggering 103.4million viewers tune in – with Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Mary J. Blige featuring in guest verses.

Last year, Usher thrilled fans with an electrifying halftime show at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas – but he narrowly avoided disaster after stumbling on stage while performing high-risk choreography in roller skates.

The 45-year-old R&B icon performed in front of an A-list crowd that included fellow music superstars Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and even Beatles legend Paul McCartney.

However, his extravaganza was nearly derailed when he skated under Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am’s legs. 

When he got back on his feet, he almost lost balance, but managed to correct his course by adding further spins to his routine.