The Ultimate Super Bowl Anthem Guide: Who’s Singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ For Super Bowl LX (2026) And The Most Iconic Performances Ever

Contents

The Super Bowl National Anthem performance is one of the most highly-anticipated and deeply scrutinized moments of the entire pre-game ceremony, often drawing as many viewers as the game itself. As of today, December 10, 2025, the National Football League (NFL) has officially announced the star-studded lineup for the pre-game festivities at Super Bowl LX (60) in 2026, confirming the next artist to take on the monumental task of singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" on the world's biggest stage.

The tradition of a high-profile musician performing the anthem has become a cultural event, setting the tone for the championship game and often sparking immediate debate about the rendition’s quality and duration. This year’s choice continues the trend of selecting multi-talented, chart-topping artists, ensuring the Super Bowl pre-game show remains a must-watch spectacle for millions of football fans and music lovers alike.

The Official Performers for Super Bowl LX (2026)

The NFL has tapped a trio of contemporary music powerhouses to lead the pre-game musical lineup for Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026. This year's ceremony will once again feature performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful," and "Lift Every Voice and Sing," solidifying a diverse and inclusive pre-game tradition.

Charlie Puth: National Anthem Performer

The honor of performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" for Super Bowl LX in 2026 falls to Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and producer, Charlie Puth. Known for streaming juggernauts like "Attention" and "We Don't Talk Anymore," Puth, 33, brings a modern pop sensibility to the classic patriotic song. His selection highlights the NFL's continued move toward featuring artists who dominate the contemporary music charts, following a recent trend that has seen a mix of pop, country, and R&B stars take the stage.

Puth's performance will be a focal point of the pre-game show, with fans and bettors eagerly watching to see how long his rendition of the National Anthem will last, a long-standing tradition in Super Bowl prop bets.

Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones Join the Pre-Game Lineup

The pre-game ceremony for Super Bowl LX will feature two other major performances that have become staples of the event:

  • Brandi Carlile: The acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile is set to perform "America the Beautiful." Carlile is a highly decorated artist, known for her powerful vocals and genre-blending style that spans folk, rock, and country.
  • Coco Jones: Rising R&B star Coco Jones will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing," often referred to as the Black National Anthem. This performance continues the tradition established in recent years to include this powerful and historic song in the Super Bowl pre-game ritual.

The inclusion of these three high-caliber artists—Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones—ensures a musically diverse and culturally significant opening to the championship game.

A Look Back: Recent Super Bowl National Anthem Performers

The choice of Charlie Puth follows a string of critically acclaimed and highly visible performances from some of the biggest names in music. Examining the past two Super Bowls provides context for the caliber of artist the NFL seeks for this high-stakes moment.

Super Bowl LIX (2025): Jon Batiste

At Super Bowl LIX, held in New Orleans, the National Anthem was performed by the incredibly talented Jon Batiste. An acclaimed musical artist, Batiste is a five-time Grammy Award-winner and an Academy Award-winning artist, known for his work in jazz, R&B, and film scores. His performance was a nod to the rich musical heritage of the host city, New Orleans. The pre-game show also featured Ledisi, a New Orleans native, performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," with ASL interpretation provided by Stephanie Nogueras.

Super Bowl LVIII (2024): Reba McEntire

Country music legend Reba McEntire belted out "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. McEntire's powerful and traditional rendition was a highlight of the pre-game ceremony. The 2024 game also featured Andra Day performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," adding her soulful voice to the pre-game ritual.

The History and Iconic Performances of the Super Bowl Anthem

The National Anthem performance is more than just a song; it's a deeply ingrained American tradition and a major cultural moment. The Super Bowl stage has been the site of some of the most memorable—and sometimes controversial—renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in history.

The Gold Standard: Whitney Houston's Iconic Rendition

No discussion of the Super Bowl National Anthem is complete without mentioning Whitney Houston's 1991 performance at Super Bowl XXV. Performed during the early days of the Gulf War, Houston's powerful, soulful, and highly stylized rendition is widely considered the best performance in Super Bowl history. It cemented her legacy and set an impossibly high bar for all future performers.

Notable Performers and Memorable Moments

Over the decades, a diverse group of artists have taken on the challenge, each leaving their mark:

  • Country Music Dominance: The Super Bowl stage has been a frequent home for country stars, including Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks), Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and most recently, Reba McEntire.
  • Pop and R&B Legends: Other major stars who have performed include Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, and Beyoncé.
  • The ASL Tradition: In recent years, the NFL has highlighted the importance of accessibility by featuring American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters alongside the vocal performers, such as Troy Kotsur at Super Bowl LVII and Stephanie Nogueras at Super Bowl LIX.

The Infamous "Over/Under" Bet: Performance Duration

One of the most popular and enduring Super Bowl prop bets centers on the National Anthem’s duration. Bettors place wagers on whether the performance will be "over" or "under" a specific time set by bookmakers, usually around two minutes.

  • The Longest Anthem: The record for the longest recorded National Anthem performance belongs to Alicia Keys, whose rendition before Super Bowl XLVII clocked in at a staggering two minutes and 35 seconds (2:35).
  • The Shortest Anthem: On the other end of the spectrum, Jewel holds the record for one of the shortest anthems, completing the song in a brisk one minute and 27 seconds.
  • Recent Times: Chris Stapleton’s 2023 performance clocked in at 121 seconds, a nail-biter for bettors. Jon Batiste’s time at Super Bowl LIX was also a major point of discussion for those tracking the over/under.

As Charlie Puth prepares to take the stage for Super Bowl LX, the world will not only be listening for his vocal delivery but also timing the final note with a stopwatch, continuing this unique and thrilling Super Bowl tradition.

The Ultimate Super Bowl Anthem Guide: Who’s Singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ for Super Bowl LX (2026) and the Most Iconic Performances Ever
who is singing the national anthem at the super bowl
who is singing the national anthem at the super bowl

Detail Author:

  • Name : Merlin Funk
  • Username : nicolette65
  • Email : alexandre.vandervort@hintz.com
  • Birthdate : 2007-06-01
  • Address : 31544 Satterfield Parkway Apt. 620 New Malcolm, SD 86089
  • Phone : +19526938555
  • Company : Sanford, Johnson and Hagenes
  • Job : Airfield Operations Specialist
  • Bio : Harum sit accusamus voluptatem officiis nemo numquam. Reprehenderit suscipit molestiae provident sint.

Socials

linkedin:

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/weber2013
  • username : weber2013
  • bio : Ullam dolor et iste aspernatur architecto excepturi.
  • followers : 6530
  • following : 1124

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/dario_official
  • username : dario_official
  • bio : Animi eaque ex ab explicabo doloremque explicabo. Aut architecto quibusdam aut dolorem aut. Ea tenetur sed cumque vel dolor.
  • followers : 1955
  • following : 2922

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/dario.weber
  • username : dario.weber
  • bio : Quibusdam cumque voluptatem quod sint. Ducimus sit sint laudantium est.
  • followers : 4467
  • following : 228