Here's Why Taylor Swift Has Never Performed at a Super Bowl Halftime Show — Explained in Her Own Words

Taylor Swift's Super Bowl halftime absence keeps raising eyebrows, especially after Bad Bunny was announced as the 2026 headliner. Now, Swift's own words finally clarify why she's never taken the NFL's biggest stage.

Every Super Bowl brings massive performances, louder debates, and one familiar question. Why has Taylor Swift — arguably the biggest pop star on the planet — never headlined the halftime show?

As anticipation built for Super Bowl 2026, that question surfaced yet again. The National Football League's (NFL) latest entertainment reveal only added fuel to the speculation.

What Roc Nation Announced

In November 2025, Roc Nation, founded by rapper Jay-Z, announced Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl 2026 halftime performer as part of the league's entertainment lineup, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The decision marked another high-profile pick under the Roc Nation-NFL partnership. The league paired the halftime announcement with a stacked pregame lineup.

Charlie Puth was tapped to sing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile was set to perform "America the Beautiful," and Coco Jones would deliver "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8, 2026.

"(W)e're proud to spotlight artists who embody the very best of music and culture," NFL senior vice president Jon Barker said when the news was revealed mid-game.

"These artists bring a distinct voice to the moment, helping set the tone for a day that will captivate fans around the world," he added.

Beyond the star power, the NFL highlighted inclusion.

A Super Bowl Focused on Inclusion and Global Reach

The news outlet also reported that the league introduced a multilingual signing program, naming Fred Beam and Julian Ortiz as American Sign Language interpreters for the pregame performances.

Bad Bunny's halftime show was also positioned as a milestone moment. His performance was expected to incorporate Puerto Rican Sign Language for the first time, led by deaf Puerto Rican performer Celimar Rivera Cosme.

All signed performances were produced in collaboration with Alexis Kashar of Love Sign and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.

Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez called the moment a reflection of culture, live performance, and national pride. However, not everyone applauded the selection.

Controversy Follows the Halftime Choice

Bad Bunny's booking sparked criticism from President Donald Trump and his supporters, who took issue with the artist's Spanish-language music and outspoken political views on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

The NFL, however, showed no hesitation. The league stood firmly behind the decision, reinforcing its commitment to artistic diversity and global audiences.

A Long History of Rotating Halftime Stars

The Super Bowl Halftime Show itself is produced by Diversified Production Services, with Roc Nation and Jesse Collins serving as executive producers.

Year after year, the NFL has rotated its halftime headliners, pulling from pop, rock, hip-hop, and Latin music. The league's own historical galleries illustrate how each Super Bowl introduces a different performer, rarely repeating the same artist.

Some of the biggest names in music have already had their moment. Beyoncé famously headlined the halftime show in February 2013, delivering one of the event's most iconic performances.

Yet through all those rotating headliners, one name has remained noticeably absent: Taylor Swift.

For years, fans assumed there had to be a behind-the-scenes explanation. Some believed she'd turned the offer down. Others speculated it was about creative control or protecting performance footage.

That speculation finally met clarity.

Taylor Swift Finally Explains Herself

During an October 2025 appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," Swift addressed the Super Bowl question after host Jimmy Fallon asked whether she had turned it down because of performance footage concerns.

"Well, here's the thing. Like, Jay-Z has always been very good to me. Our teams are really close. Like, it's like they sometimes will call and say, 'How does she feel about...?' And that's not, like, an official offer or an official, like — or a conference room conversation," Swift said.

She also said that those conversations were more general check-ins about how she felt, and that her team has been able to be honest.

"I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field," Swift said, referring to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Swift framed football as both strategic and physically punishing, likening it to "violent chess" and "gladiators without swords."

She said that during the season, her attention is fully consumed by what Kelce is doing on the field, leaving little mental space to focus on a Super Bowl halftime show.

She joked about the contrast between watching a high-risk, high-pressure sport and imagining herself mapping out a performance. "I think we should do two verses of 'Shake It Off,' into 'Blank Space,' into 'Cruel Summer' would be great," Swift said, before dismissing the idea.

She also stressed that the decision has nothing to do with Kelce discouraging her from performing. "He would love for me to do it," she said. "I'm just too locked in."

That balance between spotlight moments and personal milestones has surfaced repeatedly in Swift's recent public appearances.

As reported in October 2025, Swift gave the internet a first look at her music video, "The Fate of Ophelia," sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse on Instagram that highlighted her creative vision and the project’s elaborate production.

Swift Shares a Glamorous Glimpse from Her New Video Hours After Kelce's Birthday

One image in the series depicted Swift at the center of a grand, fantasy-inspired ship, dressed in a sparkling floor-length gown and surrounded by performers in Renaissance-style costumes striking dynamic, cinematic poses.

Another image showed Swift and two other women sitting in a synchronized pose on a circular stage, exuding classic glamour and confidence.

They wear matching black, beaded flapper-style dresses with fringe and high heels, evoking a 1920s jazz aesthetic. Behind them, red stage curtains and musical instruments create a moody, vintage cabaret atmosphere.

The third image in the series captured Swift sitting at a vintage vanity surrounded by glowing bulbs, exuding old Hollywood glamor. She wears a dazzling red corset adorned with sequins, matching opera gloves, and soft retro curls styled in a platinum blonde bob.

The fourth slide saw the pop star standing confidently at the center of a glamorous, synchronized dance number. She wears a sparkling light blue leotard adorned with rhinestones, a matching sequined headpiece, and a dramatic feathered robe.

Surrounded by dancers in coordinated costumes, she exudes classic showgirl energy and old Hollywood elegance under bright stage lights.

In the fifth image, Swift was surrounded by a group of dazzling showgirls dressed in vibrant red and orange feathered costumes. Swift, holding a tablet and smiling, appears to be reviewing something with the performers, exuding both confidence and joy.

The richly lit scene, set against deep red velvet curtains, radiates vintage cabaret glamour and behind-the-scenes excitement.

Another image captured the acclaimed singer dramatically falling backward into stylized waves while dressed in a sparkling, flowing gown.

Behind her, a group of performers in Renaissance-inspired costumes stand on a grand ship with teal sails, cheering and gesturing animatedly. The scene evokes a cinematic, fantasy adventure moment filled with motion, color, and theatrical flair.

One slide in the carousel captured Swift on set, wearing a long, flowing white gown that stands out dramatically against the warm, fiery backdrop.

A performer beside her breathed a burst of flames into the air, while a cameraman filmed the intense moment up close. The scene combined elegance and spectacle, showcasing a blend of cinematic artistry and bold visual drama.

The opening image of the carousel post showed Swift surrounded by seven women dressed in vintage red corsets, stockings, and heels, striking commanding poses inside a retro-style dressing room drenched in old Hollywood glamor.

With gold curtains, mirrored vanities, and moody, warm lighting, the photo oozed theatrical flair. One woman, clad only in a towel, added a playful contrast to the otherwise polished tableau. The post didn't directly reference Kelce, but it appeared a day after the Kansas City Chiefs star's birthday.

Shared on her social media page, the singer gushed about the creative process, saying, "Writing, rehearsing, directing and shooting the music video for 'The Fate of Ophelia' was the thrill of a lifetime because I got to be reunited with my Eras Tour family!! I wanted each one-take scene to feel like a live performance and remind us all of how it felt to be at those shows together."

The caption continued, "Making every moment count. It's a journey through the chaotic world of show business. I loved working with @rpstam, @ethantobman and @nopenother to dream up these visuals. A huge thank you to this massive cast who kept it 💯 and also kept the secret of this video even existing. It’s out on YouTube NOW!📸: TAS Rights Management [sic]."