It’s that time of year!
As 2025 winds down, the announcement of the 2026 headliner for the Super Bowl Halftime Show is imminent.
Widely hailed as the grandest stage of them all, the platform is dually renowned for its immortalization of music’s biggest names and its potency as a promotional vehicle for history’s most blockbuster tours.
A fact reaffirmed when recapping the talent who have towered tall at Halftime; a list that includes Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Prince, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Rihanna, and Katy Perry.
As the countdown continues for the 2026 Halftime Show headliner announcement, join us below as That Grape Juice lists some of the names we believe may be in contention – or should be.
Janet Jackson
Two decades after the infamous 2004 Halftime show, a Super Bowl stage could serve as the ultimate redemption arc. With ‘Janet Jackson Appreciation Day’ trending every year, fans have made it clear they are ready.
Taylor Swift
Fresh off Taylor Swift‘s record-shattering Eras Tour, the timing has never felt better. A Halftime spectacle would tie neatly into her ‘Life of a Showgirl’ narrative.
Miley Cyrus
With her newest album, ‘Something Beautiful,’ being received as such from fans, Miley Cyrus has made clear that she is in peak form. Her penchant for flair, reinvention, and spectacle makes her a natural fit. She also has the hits to fill the coveted 12-minute slot.
Justin Bieber
A Super Bowl slot could rubber-stamp an official “swag return” moment for Justin Bieber. With the ‘Swag II’ album having surprise-dropped this week, the timing would be apt for the Pop pin-up to serve a career retrospective alongside his newest cuts.
Ciara
Say what folk will about Ciara, there’s no denying her dance-heavy hits and stage-blazing ways were tailor-made for stadium stages. We’d love to see ‘CiCi’ given the chance to show up and show out!
Chris Brown
Controversial, yes, but his talent and hit-filled catalog are undeniable. A Halftime show would be framed as a showcase of raw artistry versus redemption. Though given his surefire showmanship, it’s doubtful there will be any debate to be had about his status as one of the best to grace a stage.
P!nk
This airborne chanteuse once turned the offer down, but now feels like her moment. P!nk‘s high-flying acrobatics and powerhouse vocals would guarantee a showstopper.
Mariah Carey
Mariah may be the wildcard, but this is her season of flowers with BET and VMAs honors. A mix of bops and climactic ballads could surprise skeptics.
Drake
With over a decade of dominance, Drake has endless anthems fit for the biggest stage. Interestingly, despite the enormity of his musical moments, he’s yet to pair that with a definitive live showing. The seismic scale of the Halftime Show. As last year’s showing from his nemesis, Kendrick Lamar, showed, Hip-Hop can deliver on the grandest stage of them all.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande‘s flawless vocals and massive pop appeal are undeniable. With the 2026 ‘Eternal Sunshine Tour’ announced, she could deliver both spectacle and substance ahead into the mammoth trek.
Nicki Minaj
As the reigning Queen of Rap, Nicki brings both legacy and spectacle. Having served as a guest during Madonna’s set, her own catalog of smashes and embrace of the theatrical (hello, Roman?!) could deliver a potently Pink Halftime unlike anything before.
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With that, who do you think should headline Halftime?
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Taylor swift or post
Id only be cool with Janet if it was a MICHAEL JACKSON tribute SB performance.
Rooting for P!nk… the others are just here for BET awards level or VMA..
Not Granny Janet gonna exposed her saggy breast and dark n I p p le again 🥴🫣🫣🫣she is too old for doing these dirty tricks again
P!nk is a great choice
Candidates for the next super bowl:
1. P!NK
2. Drake
3. Chris Brown & Ciara
4. Taylor Swift
5. Miley Cyrus & Dolly Parton
6. Dua Lipa & Harry Styles
7. Travis Scott feat. Yungblud, Paramore, Blink-182
8. Janet Jackson
9. Mariah Carey Feat. Ariana Grande, Busta Rhymes
10.Adele
Hands down Normani all day!
🥴🥴🥴
From the list, Mariah is the only one I’d be interested in seeing because of her catalog. One of the comments named Adele, I think she’d be a good choice for the same reason. Pink would be okay. I think Taylor would be the biggest ratings draw, though I’d personally be completely uninterested.
As for the others, they either don’t have the type of Superbowl level catalog or stage presence, imo (P.S. Janet has already showcased her hits, I don’t think it makes sense for her to headline again).
Granet had not just showcased her hits but also her old saggy t I t s💅🏼
These are some good picks, but I feel like the people and NFL Might also wanna go with a nostalgic veteran legacy act too. Like the Backstreet Boys, Red Hot, chili peppers or even Green Day? I wanted TLC but I I know t boz and chilli won’t do it without left eye.
Drake would make the most sense after Kendrick, especially when his star/light has started to deem.
Mariah Carey (Because she’s a legend and deserves it)
Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit (neo metal theme)
Missy Elliott + Lil Kim + Eve + others (90s female rappers theme)
Nicki Minaj (just cuz I want a pink color theme)
Pink (Obviously it’s gonna be amazing)
Christina Aguilera + Lady marmalade reunion
Britney Spears ( I can only wish though)
+ Janet Jackson (cuz she got the hits and deserves a cluster)
Gwen Stefani + No doubt
And One hit wonders theme could also be great🤣
Well, if your gonna go 90s girl rappers, personally, I’d prefer to go further back with the girls who set it off/started it all, my era, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Salt n Pepa, etc.
We can have them all, each can play her biggest 2 hits , it would be cool
Sounds great! Would love to see an 80s, 90s female rappers theme with them all, from Salt n Pepa, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah to Missy and Eve, etc., now that would be worth tuning in for.
Missy should produce it, and she needs her own Superbowl but we all know she likes to share the stage with female rappers so if it’s 15 min show it’s gonna be great for all of them.
Than we can let her produce an R&B theme Superbowl with Brandy, Monica, 702, SWV… and an Aaliyah tribute! That would be fkn awesome!
Ciara would be a good choice along with Chris brown the energy would be insane
Ciara would be a good choice along with Chris brown the energy would be insane . This will be fresh and lots of energy
A Janet return would be record breaking! Say what you will, but the world would be watching her redemption so it would be worth it.
Ciara and CB together as I don’t EVER see her being able to headline alone. CB definitely could do a solo show though.
Mariah sure, but this h** better learn to walk and actually dance a good bit or something
Pink is nice but for some reason I don’t see a solo set for her either
Nicki is just simply a NO!!!!
Justin and Ariana show would be a nice mix
Taylor is simply not entertaining live
And they will not use Drake simply due to the current beef so that’s dead
Justin, Ariana or Pink
Ciara and Chris brown together
Not znicki stiff a**!
KISS should have their last Live performance on the biggest stage.
KISS should have their last Live performance on the biggest stage.
Should be Yungblud in honor of Ozzy!
Kelly clarkston,
Because she would slay that s***