Super Bowl 2026: Who Should Headline the Halftime Show? TGJ Weighs In

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?

Your thoughts?