News

Super Bowl 2026: Pregame performers will include Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones

Super Bowl 2026: Pregame performers will include Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones

FILE - American singer Charlie Puth performs at the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado, File) Photo: Associated Press


By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Super Bowl pregame show will open with a trio of standout performers in Northern California: Charlie Puth will hit the stage to sing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will take on “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The performances will take place Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, before the NFL’s championship matchup and halftime show featuring Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, the league announced Sunday.
“These artists bring a distinct voice to the moment, helping set the tone for a day that will captivate fans around the world,” said Jon Barker, senior vice president of global event production for the NFL.
The pregame performances will air on NBC, Telemundo and Peacock.
The national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will be performed by deaf performing artist Fred Beam in American Sign Language. Julian Ortiz will sign “America the Beautiful.”
In a historic first, the halftime show will include a multilingual signing program featuring Puerto Rican Sign Language, led by interpreter Celimar Rivera Cosme. All signed performances for the pregame and halftime shows will be presented in collaboration with Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.
Puth is a four-time Grammy-nominated singer known for his songs “Attention,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore” and his 2015 breakout hit “See You Again,” with Wiz Khalifa, from the “Furious 7” movie soundtrack. His appearance will come ahead of his fourth studio album “Whatever’s Clever!” due on March 6.
Carlile has won 11 Grammys and won praise for her eighth studio album “Returning to Myself,” which was released in October. She’s nominated for two Grammys with Elton John for their album “Who Believes in Angels?” released in April and their song “Never Too Late” from his documentary film “Elton John: Never Too Late.”
Jones is an R&B star who won a Grammy in the best R&B performance category for her song “ICU” in 2024 and released her debut album “Why Not More?” which is nominated for best R&B album at next year’s ceremony. She also stars as Hilary Banks on Peacock’s television series “Bel-Air,” entering its last season.
“Charlie, Brandi, and Coco are generational talents, and we are honored to have them — alongside our extraordinary deaf performers — on Super Bowl LX’s world stage,” said Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, which is producing the show with DPS and Jesse Collins. “This moment embodies the very best of culture, live performance and our country.”
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Sports News

4 hours ago in Sports

Tarik Skubal joins Paul Skenes on US World Baseball Classic pitching staff

Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has agreed to pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, joining a pitching staff that includes reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

4 hours ago in Sports

Timberwolves formalize a reunion with Kevin Garnett, with a plan to finally retire his No. 21 jersey

Kevin Garnett will finally have his No. 21 formally retired by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves announced on Thursday they've hired the Hall of Fame member and franchise icon as a team ambassador, with a plan to honor Garnett in a jersey-raising ceremony at Target Center on a future date.

11 hours ago in Olympics, Sports

Winter Olympics 2026 guide: All you need to know about the Milan–Cortina Games

The countdown is on for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The torch relay is already underway and some of the top athletes are already making headlines. There are 16 sports in all, including some never seen before, and 116 gold medals are waiting to be awarded.

1 day ago in Sports

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes begins rehab after knee surgery with eye on Week 1 return in 2026

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has begun rehab following surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee, and the team is optimistic the two-time MVP could be back early next season — perhaps even by the time Kansas City plays Week 1.

1 day ago in Sports

Dolphins benching Tua Tagovailoa for rookie Quinn Ewers, AP source says

The Miami Dolphins are benching Tua Tagovailoa for rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers, a person with knowledge of the quarterback change told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

1 day ago in Sports

Carlos Alcaraz ends 7-year partnership with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz is parting ways with his longtime coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, the man who guided him to the pinnacle of men's tennis during a remarkably successful seven-year partnership.