How Long Is The Super Bowl & What Time Does It Usually End

Has There Ever Been Overtime in the Super Bowl?

In the Super Bowl, if the score is tied after regulation, teams will play in overtime periods until there is a winner. This would extend playing time and make the Super Bowl longer than expected. 

This has only happened twice, with the first being in Super Bowl LI in a game that pitted the New England Patriots against the Atlanta Falcons. Tom Brady led the Patriots back from a 28-3 deficit to force the Falcons into overtime. 

After receiving the ball, the Patriots were able to score a touchdown on their first possession, preventing the Falcons from getting a chance to score and winning them the game. Only part of one overtime period was played.

In last year’s Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers needed almost an entire overtime period to finish their epic Super Bowl, with Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker nailing the game-winning kick with just 3 seconds remaining on the clock.

What Is the Structure of an NFL Game?

NFL games span one hour of play. These 60 minutes are broken down into four quarters at 15 minutes each. 

Between the 2nd and 3rd quarters — at the halfway point — there’s an extended break time (usually clocking in around 20 minutes) known as halftime. This is when teams discuss the first half and regroup in their locker rooms. Between the other quarter breaks, there is a brief timeout period in which play stops for around two minutes. 

If both teams are tied at the end of the 60 minutes of play, they will continue in an overtime period of 10 minutes. In regular season games, the end of the 10-minute period marks the end of the game, regardless of whether the score is still tied. 

How Is the Super Bowl Different From Other Football Games?

The structure of the Super Bowl is nearly the same as any other NFL game. The main difference is the overtime rules. In the Super Bowl, the NFC and AFC championships, and all other playoff games, overtime periods last 15 minutes and will continue until a team has won; the game cannot end in a tie. 

If there is no score after the first overtime period, there will be a two-minute break before a new overtime period begins. 

Both teams will also have the chance to possess the football. (In regular season games, the game is over if a team scores a touchdown on their first possession.) This is a new change that was made in 2022. 

When Does Super Bowl Pregame Coverage Start?

While not part of the game itself, Super Bowl pregame coverage is essential for any fan wanting to hear a rundown of game predictions, player matchups, fascinating stories about the competing teams, and more. 

For Super Bowl LVIII, NFL Network began pregame coverage at 7 a.m. EST — 11.5 hours before kickoff. Meanwhile, radio coverage began at 6 a.m. EST. A variety of other pregame shows also ran between these times and kickoff. So, for all the early risers, Super Bowl content will be ready for you. 

Official pregame coverage on Fox begins at 1 p.m. EST. This includes panels of announcers, ex-players, and reporters who will share their opinions on the anticipated big game and discuss everything from star players to key injuries affecting either team. 

Pregame coverage will also include team arrivals to the stadium and warmups on the field, giving you a first look at the players competing for the Super Bowl Champion title. 

With five hours of official content broadcasting before the game even begins, you will be well prepared for the start of the game and even more invested in the two opposing teams than before. 

When Is the Super Bowl Kickoff Start Time?

The Super Bowl starts at 6:30 p.m. EST. After the coin toss — which determines who receives the ball first — they kick off the ball, and the game begins. Of course, slight variations in kickoff times can occur due to minor delays.

Has the Start Time of a Super Bowl Ever Been Delayed? 

In regular season NFL games, games can be delayed because of bad weather, usually due to lightning.

While possible, the Super Bowl has never been delayed due to weather. In Super Bowl 57 — in which Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles — started at 6:44 p.m. EST. This was 14 minutes past its projected start, but the hold-up was due to natural pregame delays. 

The longstanding good weather luck is partly due to the NFL’s restrictions on who can host the Super Bowl. Warmer cities are generally preferred, though U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings, hosted Super Bowl LII in 2018. 

Most recent Super Bowls have also been played in indoor stadiums, which helps reduce weather risks. In 2007, Super Bowl XLI at the former Dolphin Stadium, then home to the Miami Dolphins, endured over an inch of rain throughout the game. (The team now plays at Hard Rock Stadium.) Thankfully, there was not enough lightning or danger to cause a delay. 

What Time Does the Super Bowl Halftime Start? 

The Super Bowl halftime show has consistently hosted some of the most significant concert events of their respective years. 

For less enthusiastic football fans, the halftime show may even supersede the championship game’s importance. Alternatively, anticipating the timing can be just as important for fans who view the halftime show as a break from the game to snack and use the restroom. 

Knowing when to expect the halftime show can be crucial when planning your Super Bowl watch party. 

The exact time of the halftime show depends on how long the first half of the game lasts. Thirty minutes of football are played between kickoff and halftime. With commercial breaks, time stoppages, and timeouts, you can typically expect halftime to begin around 8 p.m. EST. This would be around an hour and a half after the game starts. 

How Long Is Halftime? 

The halftime performance itself usually takes around 12 to 14 minutes. The chosen artist runs through a setlist of their top hits while surrounded and supported by a team of dancers and elaborate set pieces. 

In 2023, Rihanna’s performance at State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals, lasted 13 minutes. She started her show at 8:29 p.m. EST due to kickoff delays. 

Since the halftime show is quite a production, moving the stage pieces on and off the field with the dancers and the artists themselves takes time. Between this prep time and the brief commentating segments included, halftime can be expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes. 

As set pieces and overall production have become more elaborate and grand over the past few years, halftime will last closer to the 30-minute mark. This also gives players and coaches enough time to rest, regroup, and adjust their strategy before play resumes. 

Is There Super Bowl Postgame Coverage?

While the game may be over and a winner declared, a substantial amount remains to cover after the Super Bowl ends. Postgame coverage will include team celebrations under a storm of confetti, player reunions with their loved ones, and the presentation of the Lombardi Trophy. 

The Lombardi Trophy presentation will include brief speeches from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and winning team members, usually including the head coach or owner and star players such as the quarterback. The MVP of the game is also announced.  

Even after the official postgame coverage ends, smaller networks will analyze the game and offer their take on what transpired. So, it’s safe to say there will be Super Bowl-related coverage that lasts long into the night. 

What is the Super Bowl Time Frame?

Ultimately, how long the Super Bowl lasts is somewhat up to you. The game itself typically runs about 3.5 hours, including halftime. If you tune in to pregame and/or postgame coverage, anywhere from those 3.5 hours to your entire day can be filled with Super Bowl content. 

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy as much football as your heart desires.