Jay-Z Will Perform at the 2026 Super Bowl

Shawn Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, will headline the halftime show for the 2026 Super Bowl. The confirmation ends a period of speculation that began in March of this year. In a cover story for GQ published in March 2026, the rapper declared that the year would be defined by offense. That statement raised questions about whether he would return to the biggest stage in American sports.

The performance will take place at the 50-yard line of the stadium hosting the game. The specific teams competing for the championship have not yet been determined, but the musical lineup is set. Carter is expected to perform a set featuring his major hits. The show will also include numerous references to sports, a recurring theme in his discography.

ESPN reviewed his catalog to identify the ten most clever and unexpected sports lyrics in his career. The ranking serves as a preview of the thematic elements likely to appear during the halftime performance. The list includes references to the NBA, NFL, NASCAR, and boxing.

The number one entry is from the 2001 track "Hola Hovito." In that verse, Carter compares other rappers to Sam Bowie, referencing the 1984 NBA draft. The Portland Trail Blazers selected Bowie with the third pick over Michael Jordan. Carter uses this comparison to position himself as the Michael Jordan of the rap world.

Number two on the list is a lyric from "Lyrical Exercise," also from 2001. The line "Jiggaman is Diesel when I lift the 8 up" is a visual reference to Shaquille O'Neal lifting Kobe Bryant during a workout. The image captures a specific moment between the two Los Angeles Lakers stars. Internet users identified this connection more than a decade after the song was released.

The number three spot goes to a 2003 freestyle over the beat of Joe Budden's "Pump It Up." In that track, Carter compares his competitors to lower-tier basketball players like Tracy McGrady and Harold Miner. He asserts his dominance by labeling himself the "Mike Jordan of the mic recordin'" while dismissing the rest as "Pervis Ellis."

Mariano Rivera, the New York Yankees closer, appears in the number four entry from "Go Crazy" (2005). Carter describes himself as the "Mariano of The Marriott" while rapping on a remix for Young Jeezy. The number five slot features a reference to Penny Hardaway, specifically the "Lil' Penny" figurine voiced by Chris Rock. The lyric from "Who You Wit II" (1997) mentions partying like Lil' Penny while avoiding Denny's.

Quarterback Randall Cunningham is honored in the number six entry from "Heart of the City" (2001). Carter compares his ability to navigate business to Cunningham's scrambling style. The number seven spot references the Mike Tyson fight against Peter McNeely in 1995. The lyrics from "I Love The Dough" (1997) recall a trip to Las Vegas with The Notorious B.I.G. to watch that specific bout.

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon is cited in the number nine entry from "Never Let Me Down" (2004). Carter calls himself the "Jeff Gordon of rap" to mark his return from a brief retirement. The top of the list is rounded out by a 2007 lyric from "Party Life" that references winning an ESPY award.