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 are battling for the last playoff spots, the football world is already buzzing for the big 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 to it. You can feel it in the sports bars, in the training camps, everywhere people are debating: who’s going to take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy?

Of course, the Super Bowl hasn’t been just about the game itself for a long time. The halftime break is a world championship in its own right. I remember back in the day when the Super Bowl Halftime Show was more of a sideshow. Today? The entertainment industry holds its breath to see who gets to rock that stage. Word on the street is that the organisers are going for a real surprise act this time—someone who’s never been in that spotlight before. It reminds me of some big moments from the past. Super Bowl XXXVI, for instance. I was still young back then, but that kick from Adam Vinatieri, giving the Patriots their first title—that was pure magic. And the show that year marked the start of a new era where halftime 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 skip the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve been fortunate enough to witness many legends from this franchise first-hand. The way this organisation has been operating for decades is just incredible. While other teams scramble for the big-name pick in the draft, the Steelers systematically dig for gold in the second round. Some call it luck, but I call it craftsmanship.

A perfect example is how the franchise got its first points in the Super Bowl back then. It wasn’t always the big stars making the difference. I remember a player like Dwight White, who got the first sack for Pittsburgh in the championship game—those were the guys who played in the shadow of the big names, but when it mattered most, they delivered. I see that same mindset today. The key lies in the defence. Behind the scenes, they always stress that Aaron Smith was one of those who never sought the limelight, but without his work, those championship rings would never have been possible.

From Underdog to Hero: The Unwritten Rules

What always fascinates me about the Super Bowl is that the greatest stories often aren’t written in the first round. I was chatting with some old colleagues recently about draft philosophy. It’s not about picking the loudest guy; it’s about picking the one with the grit. When you find first-round talent in the second round, you’re not building a team for one year—you’re building one for a decade.

That’s also why I’m especially excited for Super Bowl LX this year. We’re seeing a shift in the league right now. The old giants are adapting, new strategies are emerging. But the core 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 bar set by Rihanna or Dr. Dre? My money’s on a real surprise act—someone nobody’s had on their radar in recent years.
• The Defence: No matter how flashy the offence is, when it comes to crunch time, the defence decides the game. Super Bowl XXXVI proved that, when a kicker ended up being the difference-maker.
• The Steelers Connection: No matter who ends up playing in the final, the DNA of Pittsburgh—unselfish football—will be on display. Insiders around the team have confirmed that to me multiple times.

I’ve learned that you should never rule anything out with the Super Bowl. A few years ago, nobody would have thought we’d see a 13-second drive. Or that a kicker could change the destiny of an entire franchise. Super Bowl LVII was a perfect example of how quickly the tide can turn. A fumble here, a penalty there—and suddenly a completely different team ends up on top.

Looking back at recent years, it’s clear to me: The Super Bowl is more than just a game. It’s a lens for our society. The way it’s celebrated, the way the Super Bowl Halftime Show sets cultural trends—it’s long since become more than just sports. In the US, the Monday after is an unofficial holiday, and even here, I notice the games getting later, the fan base growing.

So in a few weeks, I’ll be sitting in front of the screen again, cold beer in hand, soaking it all in. Who will land the game-changing sack? Who will catch the ball in the final second? I don’t know, but I’m sure of one thing: The story will produce a new hero once again. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll witness a team living by that spirit I’ve seen in the great Steelers legends before: selfless, tough, and unstoppable.