‘The American Carnival’: Halftime energy rankings Half 2
Summarize this content material to max 500 phrases in an expert sports activities journalism information fashion, highlighting key information:
‘The American Carnival’ is a yearlong cultural examination of the influence of the Super Bowl halftime present far past leisure. Through historical past, politics, race, economics and music, the sequence explores how 12 minutes on the most-watched stage within the nation typically say extra about America than the contest itself.
Whew! Much has modified since our first rankings. While 4 of the highest 5 stay the identical, the power round them has shifted dramatically. We’ve additionally expanded this to 10 candidates, although we’ll reserve the majority of the dialogue for the highest 5.
We’re nonetheless about two months away from the NFL saying who’ll be acting at SoFi Stadium on Valentine’s Day 2027. The final time the Super Bowl was in Inglewood, California — 2022, in case you’re questioning — Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg delivered a effort that formed the scope, scale and absurdity of simply how audacious a halftime present may very well be within the social media age.
That’s what’s on the road right here. The previous, current and way forward for the halftime present.
Training camps begin later this month. One squad will conquer the annual warfare of attrition and turn out to be the final squad standing come February. With the halftime effort, nonetheless, that street is already underway. Let’s check out who’s rising, falling and simply who actually has a shot on the live performance your complete nation will watch — and debate for years.
‘The American Carnival’: Halftime energy rankings – Andscape Read now
10. SZA
Though her most up-to-date album was launched greater than a yr and a half in the past, SZA nonetheless instructions a metric ton of consideration. She proved past the shadow of a doubt that she wasn’t merely a complementary act on the GNX Tour alongside Kendrick Lamar. She’s a celebrity in her personal proper. She’s acquired the catalog, the hits and the stage presence that will make her worthy of being simply the fourth Black lady to headline the halftime present — becoming a member of Diana Ross (1996), Beyoncé (2013) and Rihanna (2023).
9. Harry Styles
Here’s hoping Styles continues to get well after a scary incident final month when he collapsed on stage throughout his 12-night Together Together residency at Wembley Stadium in London. As stated beforehand, this isn’t about whether or not Styles might ship a stellar present. He completely would — and, once more, the faint considered a One Direction reunion is cause sufficient to maintain him in thoughts. It’s about whether or not the timing works.
8. Olivia Rodrigo
Stage presence? Check. Catalog? 100%. Crossover enchantment? Not that the halftime present must concern itself with that, however Olivia’s acquired that, too. She’s already headlined internationally identified festivals akin to Glastonbury. The halftime stage wouldn’t intimidate her in any respect. Plus, data like “Vampire” and “Good 4 U” would translate properly in Los Angeles come February.
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7. Dua Lipa
To be sincere, don’t be shocked in case you see her identify begin creeping up the record within the coming installments. She’s globally identified. Her streaming numbers are large. And, with data like “Don’t Start Now,” “New Rules,” “Levitating” and “Sweetest Pie” with Megan Thee Stallion (a Roc Nation artist, thoughts you), one might argue it’s superb she hasn’t already graced the largest stage in American leisure.
6. Ariana Grande
The pop celebrity’s new challenge, Petal, drops July 31. Unless the album is a dud, it’s exhausting to think about a world the place Grande doesn’t get a swell of Grammy nominations in all the large classes. Also, the caliber and depth of her catalog makes her an artist worthy of the Super Bowl halftime stage.
5. Charli XCX
Charli XCX attends the 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” on the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4 in New York City. Taylor Hill/Getty Images
Cultural energy: 8/10
Catalog infrastructure: 9/10
Storyline: 9/10
Showtime acumen: 9/10
NFL compatibility: 8/10
Halftime chance rating: 43/50
The Case For: It’s redundant to say this, however the catalog, the catalog, the catalog. To even be thought of for a stage of this magnitude, the catalog must be impenetrable. “Boom Clap” and “Apple” sound like Super Bowl tailored songs. Yet, her greatest enchantment? Charli has a era that the NFL covets deeply in a chokehold, and that’s Gen Z. Her “Brat” motion turned a worldwide phenomenon. If we would like an artist who could make an actual assertion and showcase youthful expertise, she’s practically the proper selection.
The Case Against: As somebody acquainted with Charli’s music and power informed me just lately, “[She] would put on a helluva show, but the FCC would probably sue them.”
4. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift celebrates with Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 within the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. David Eulitt/Getty Images
Cultural energy: 8/10
Catalog infrastructure: 10/10
Storyline: 8/10
Showtime acumen: 10/10
NFL compatibility: 9/10
Halftime chance rating: 45/50
The Case For: This reasoning hasn’t modified for the reason that first installment. If she desires to do the present, she’s doing the present, and the NFL will reap the advantages magnificently from it.
The Case Against: She acquired married this month. The halftime announcement is prone to are available September. Maybe, simply possibly, Swift desires to take pleasure in these early days of marriage merely having fun with such and never must stability her husband’s NFL profession — a serious campaign, given the Chiefs’ disappointment final yr — and her personal NFL-adjacent accountability. Maybe. Plus, this may be an access-and-proximity choose, as a result of it’s not as if Swift has been tremendous energetic in 2026.
3. Cardi B
Cardi B speaks onstage in the course of the 2026 Essence Festival of Culture® offered by Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 3 in New Orleans. Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Essence
Cultural energy: 8/10
Catalog infrastructure: 9/10
Storyline: 9/10
Showtime acumen: 10/10
NFL compatibility: 10/10
Halftime chance Score: 46/50
The Case For: Though many did, I don’t contemplate Cardi’s look at Bad Bunny’s set this yr a effort. Why? Because she didn’t…carry out. In a Spaces dialog on X in May, Cardi spoke concerning the deep need to go on tour once more following the resounding success of her Little Miss Drama Tour. “I didn’t ‘supposedly’ gross $70 million,” she stated. “It actually did gross $70 million.” She’s lengthy proved she might command a stage of that magnitude and has a good deeper catalog in tow now. Also, equally as vital in all this, she’d be a media darling within the street main as much as The American Carnival aka Super Bowl LXI. For what it’s value, too, Cardi did carry out at entrepreneur Michael Rubin’s White Party over Fourth of July weekend.
The Case Against: That similar tour we simply spoke about? It’s over now, and whereas Cardi isn’t sitting at residence twiddling her thumbs, her movement has motioned at larger frequencies previously. At least previously two years (Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny), Roc Nation has opted for artists who had essentially the most simple years. Cardi’s an exceptional selection — therefore her No. 3 rating — however she’s not “undeniable” proper now both.
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2. Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber performs on the halftime present in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 last match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19 in East Rutherford, N.J. Eduardo Carmim/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Cultural energy: 9/10
Catalog infrastructure: 10/10
Storyline: 9/10
Showtime acumen: 10/10
NFL compatibility: 9/10
Halftime chance rating: 47/50
The Case For: Up till Jay-Z’s New York homecoming, there hasn’t been an artist in 2026 with an even bigger musical second than Justin Bieber’s Coachella headlining present. It garnered practically 150 million international views, and within the weeks following the effort, Bieber remained the top-streamed artist on Spotify. He logged 431 million streams in a single week in April. I’m not even an analytics man like that, however these numbers communicate for themselves. Now think about that with a stage your complete world sees on the similar time, for the largest viewers in American popular culture. The solely requirement is that he can’t action songs off his laptop computer (like he did at Coachella) or put on solely boxers (like he did on the Grammys). Other than that, the stage is about nearly completely for Bieber to run via a medley of his greatest hits — of which he has a ton.
The Case Against: It’s a fantastic look regardless, however I haven’t determined but if Bieber doing halftime on the World Cup last makes his Super Bowl case stronger or weaker. It’s been exhausting to pin down the place Justin is, mentally talking, lately. Doing halftime means greater than the quarter-hour he’d be on stage. Would he need to agree with the necessities and countless media obligations of the halftime present? Maybe; he has been a megastar for greater than half his life. But that’s additionally why he may not even need to trouble.
1. JAŸ-Z
Jay-Z is seen earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14.Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Cultural energy:10/10
Catalog infrastructure: 10/10
Storyline: 9/10
Showtime acumen: 9/10
NFL compatibility: 10/10
Halftime chance rating: 48/50
The Case For: It sounds unbelievable, however no artist has been extra seen in 2026 than JAŸ-Z. From amazement, controversy, nostalgia and all over the place in between, Shawn Corey Carter has as soon as once more proved there are few in music historical past who can quarterback a rollout fairly like him. His Roots Picnic effort confirmed his stage command hasn’t dwindled in in the slightest degree. Meanwhile, his Yankee Stadium sold-out, three-night run was a banner second in a profession bursting on the seams with them. There are extra reveals in Los Angeles and Paris within the fall, too. And who is aware of what else is within the works — maybe new music? Don’t count on a freestyle if Jay graces the Super Bowl stage. Then once more, it’s Jay, so something is on the desk. But for a residing legend who has performed every part an artist might, besides this one factor, it’s exhausting to think about a greater time to verify off that last field.
The Case Against: The apparent, actually. Would the person who helped reinvent the Super Bowl halftime stage to essentially the most coveted platform in American leisure really need to headline it himself?
Justin Tinsley is a senior tradition author for Andscape. He firmly believes “Cash Money Records takin’ ova for da ’99 and da 2000” is the one most impactful assertion of his era.
