What Time is Green Day’s Super Bowl Show and How to Watch: The Complete Guide to the Opening Ceremony and Trump’s Boycott
As the sporting world descends on Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, for Super Bowl 60, the excitement isn’t just about the clash on the field. The NFL’s Diamond Anniversary has brought with it a musical lineup that spans generations, genres, and political divides.
Leading the charge are Bay Area punk legends Green Day, who are set to ignite the festivities with a high-octane opening ceremony performance. However, the inclusion of the “American Idiot” rockers, alongside halftime headliner Bad Bunny, has sparked a high-profile boycott from President Donald Trump, adding a layer of cultural tension to America’s biggest night.
Here is everything you need to know about Green Day’s performance, the schedule, how to watch, and the controversy overshadowing the show.
Green Day at Super Bowl 60: The Schedule
Unlike the Halftime Show, which occurs roughly 90 minutes into the broadcast, Green Day’s performance is part of the pre-game opening ceremony. This is a crucial distinction for fans tuning in solely to catch Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool.
- Performance Time: Green Day is scheduled to take the stage at approximately 3:00 PM Pacific Time (PT).
- Eastern Time (ET): 6:00 PM
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 11:00 PM
- Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
The band will perform during the final window of the pre-game show, serving as the lead-in to the national anthem and the coin toss. The NFL has positioned their set as the “energy injection” to transition from analysis to kickoff.
Where to Watch the Performance Live
The Super Bowl 60 broadcast is being handled by NBC this year, ensuring wide availability across cable and streaming platforms.
- TV Channels: The ceremony will be broadcast live on NBC and Telemundo (Spanish broadcast).
- Streaming: Viewers can stream the performance on Peacock, NBC.com, and the NBC Sports App (requires authentication).
- International Viewers:
- UK: ITV1 and Sky Sports will carry the broadcast (starting at 10:45 PM GMT).
- Canada: CTV and TSN.
- Australia: Seven Network.
Why Trump is Angry About Green Day and Bad Bunny
The buildup to Super Bowl 60 has been punctuated by a sharp rebuke from Donald Trump, who confirmed earlier this week that he would not be attending the game in person. While logistics were cited as a secondary reason, the former President made it clear that his primary grievance lies with the entertainment choices.
In a statement that circulated widely on social media, Trump expressed his disdain for both Green Day and the halftime headliner, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny.
The “American Idiot” Feud
Trump’s animosity toward Green Day is hardly new. The band has been a vocal critic of the MAGA movement since its inception. During a New Year’s Eve performance in 2023, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong famously altered the lyrics of their seminal hit “American Idiot,” changing the line “I’m not a part of a redneck agenda” to “I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda.”
The lyric change went viral, drawing ire from conservative commentators and Trump supporters. For Trump, the NFL’s decision to hand the opening microphone to a band that has explicitly targeted his political base is seen as a direct slight.
“I’m anti-them,” Trump stated regarding the performers. “I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred.”
The Bad Bunny Factor
Trump’s criticism extended to the halftime act, Bad Bunny. The reggaeton artist has been an outspoken advocate for Puerto Rico and Latino rights, frequently criticizing the federal government’s response to crises on the island. Trump’s comments on the artist were dismissive, grouping him with Green Day as part of a lineup he views as unpatriotic or divisive.
Despite the former President’s boycott, the NFL has stood by its selection, emphasizing that Super Bowl 60 is about “global culture” and “honoring the past and future.”
What to Expect from Green Day’s Set
The NFL has confirmed that Green Day’s performance will be more than just a mini-concert; it is a choreographed tribute to the history of the Super Bowl.
Honoring 60 Years of MVPs
As this is Super Bowl 60, the theme of the night is legacy. Green Day will perform against a backdrop that honors generations of Super Bowl MVPs. Expect to see legendary figures like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes taking the field as the band plays. This integration of rock music and football heritage is designed to appeal to both the die-hard sports fan and the casual music listener.
The Setlist
While the exact setlist is kept under wraps until the show, sources indicate the band will lean heavily on their high-energy stadium anthems. Likely inclusions are:
- “American Idiot”: Despite the controversy, it remains their most recognizable stadium rocker.
- “Basket Case”: A nod to their 90s punk roots.
- “Holiday”: A track known for its call-and-response mechanics, perfect for a stadium setting.
- “Wake Me Up When September Ends”: A possibility for a slower, more commemorative moment during the MVP walk-out.
A “Hometown” Show for the Punk Icons
The choice of Green Day is also geographically significant. The band formed in the East Bay area of California (specifically Rodeo and Berkeley), just a short drive from Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium.
For the NFL, hiring a local act that achieved global superstardom is a strategic move to ground the global event in local culture. This mirrors the strategy used in Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, which featured West Coast hip-hop legends like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
“Green Day is the quintessential California band,” said an NFL spokesperson. “They embody the energy, the rebellion, and the history of the Bay Area music scene. Having them welcome the world to Super Bowl 60 was a natural choice.”
Bad Bunny and the Halftime Show
While Green Day kicks off the evening, the halftime slot belongs to Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio). His performance is historic, marking the first time a Spanish-language artist has headlined the show solo.
- Estimated Start Time: The halftime show usually begins around 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT, depending on the pace of the first two quarters.
- Guest Rumors: Speculation is rife that Bad Bunny may bring out collaborators such as Cardi B, J Balvin, or even a surprise appearance by Shakira to bridge the gap with previous shows.
The contrast between Green Day’s punk rock grit and Bad Bunny’s urbane Latin trap highlights the NFL’s strategy of casting the widest possible net for viewership, targeting distinct demographics with each act.
How Super Bowl 60 is Breaking Records
Super Bowl 60 is not just a milestone for the number of games played; it is projected to be the most-watched television event in history. Advertising slots for the broadcast have sold for record sums, reportedly exceeding $8 million for a 30-second spot.
The inclusion of diverse musical acts is a key driver of these numbers. By booking Green Day, the NFL secures the Gen X and Elder Millennial demographic. With Bad Bunny, they lock in Gen Z and the massive Latino market.
Viewing Guide Summary
| Event | Artist | Time (ET) | Time (PT) | Channel |
| Opening Ceremony | Green Day | 6:00 PM | 3:00 PM | NBC / Peacock |
| National Anthem | Charlie Puth | 6:20 PM | 3:20 PM | NBC / Peacock |
| Kickoff | (Game Start) | 6:30 PM | 3:30 PM | NBC / Peacock |
| Halftime Show | Bad Bunny | ~8:00 PM | ~5:00 PM | NBC / Peacock |
Export to Sheets
For those tuning in specifically for Green Day, the advice is simple: Don’t be late. unlike the halftime show, the opening ceremony is often missed by viewers who tune in exactly at kickoff. To catch the “Basket Case” legends and witness whether they make any political statements live on air, fans should have their TVs on and volumes up by 5:55 PM ET.
As the sun sets over Santa Clara and the stadium lights flicker on, Super Bowl 60 promises to be a collision of sport, sound, and statement—one that even a Presidential boycott can’t
