Super Bowl 2026: Halftime Show, History, and That Unforgettable Steelers Moment

In just a few weeks, it'll be that time again. The NFL season is heading into the home stretch, and while teams battle for the last playoff spots, the football world is already buzzing with anticipation for the grand finale. I've covered so many Super Bowls over the years that I've lost count, but this one – Super Bowl LX – already has a special energy about it. You can feel it in the sports bars, at training camps; everyone's debating it: who's going to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy?

Of course, the Super Bowl hasn't been just about the game itself for a long time. The halftime break has become a world championship in its own right. I remember years when the Super Bowl halftime show was more of a sideshow. Nowadays? The entire entertainment industry holds its breath waiting to see who gets to rock that stage. Rumour has it the organisers are going for a real surprise act this time – someone who's never been in that spotlight before. It reminds me of the great moments of the past. Super Bowl XXXVI, for instance. I was still young back then, but that kick from Adam Vinatieri, which gave the Patriots their first title – that was pure magic. And the show that year marked the beginning of a new era, one where the halftime performance became just as important as the kickoff.

The Steelers and Their DNA: When Drafting Becomes an Art Form

When I talk about the history of the Super Bowl, I can't help but mention the Pittsburgh Steelers. I've been lucky enough to witness many legends from that franchise first-hand. The way that organisation has gone about its business for decades is just impressive. While other teams scramble for the big-name pick in the draft, the Steelers systematically unearth gold in the second round. Some call it luck, but I call it craft.

A perfect example is the path to the franchise's first-ever points in the Super Bowl back then. It wasn't always the superstar names that made the difference. I recall a player like Dwight White, who got the first sack for Pittsburgh in that final – those were the kind of guys who operated in the shadow of the big names, but when it mattered most, they delivered. I'm seeing that same mindset again today. The key lies in the defence. It's often said internally that a player like Aaron Smith never sought the limelight, but without his work, those Championship rings would never have been possible.

From Underdog to Hero: The Unwritten Rules

What constantly fascinates me about the Super Bowl is that the biggest stories often aren't written in the first round. I was chatting with some old colleagues recently about draft philosophy. It's not about getting the loudest guy, but the one with the grit. When you can find first-round talent in the second round, you're not building a team for one year, but for a decade.

That's also why I'm especially excited about Super Bowl LX this year. We're seeing a shift in the league right now. The old guard are adapting, new strategies are emerging. But the fundamental truth remains: in the Super Bowl, it's not the better roster that wins, it's the better team. The team that can handle the silence in the locker room, the team that's willing to put their body on the line for the guy next to them.

• The Halftime Show: Will it match the standard set by Rihanna or Dr. Dre? My money's on a real surprise act – someone no one's had on their radar in recent years.
• The Defence: No matter how spectacular the offence, when it comes to the crunch, it's all about the defence. Super Bowl XXXVI showed us that, when ultimately a kicker made all the difference.
• The Steelers Connection: Whoever ends up playing, the DNA of Pittsburgh – selfless football – will be on display in the final. Insiders close to the team have confirmed this to me multiple times.

I've learned that you should never rule anything out when it comes to the Super Bowl. A few years ago, no one would have thought we'd see a 13-second drive. Or that a kicker could change the history of an entire franchise. Super Bowl LVII was a prime example of how quickly the tide can turn. A fumble here, a penalty there – and suddenly a completely different team is on top.

Looking back over the last few years, it's clear to me: the Super Bowl isn't just a game. It's a lens through which we can view our society. The way we celebrate, how the Super Bowl halftime show sets cultural trends – it's long since become more than just sport. The Monday after is an unofficial holiday in the US, and even here in the UK, I notice the games getting later and the fanbase growing.

So in a few weeks, I'll be back in front of the screen, cold beer in hand, soaking it all in. Who will land that decisive sack? Who will make that last-second catch? I don't know, but I'm certain of one thing: the story will create a new hero. And maybe, just maybe, we'll witness a team embody the spirit I've seen in those great Steelers legends before: selfless, tough, and unstoppable.