Taylor Swift makes a decision about the upcoming Super Bowl show as her wedding to Travis Kelce draws closer

The NFL has an intense desire to secure Taylor Swift as a Super Bowl halftime headliner.  With her record-setting tours, unmatched global reach, and cultural influence, the pop star is among the few performers who could elevate the spectacle even further.  Yet, despite her prominence, Swift has declined to participate, and recent reports suggest she will not take the stage at Super Bowl LX in 2026.  Swift has already been a visible figure at recent Super Bowls, attending the last two championships to support her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

However, her role has been confined to the stands rather than the stage. According to a report from Sports Business Journal, the NFL formally approached Swift about headlining next year’s halftime show, a match sure to be a football fan’s dream come true, combining pop culture with sports.  But negotiations reportedly stalled when the league refused to meet conditions set forth by Swift’s team.  Unlike many artists, Swift has little incentive to accept an agreement on the NFL’s terms. She already owns the rights to her music, controls her promotional output, and commands one of the largest audiences in the world.

In contrast, the NFL has historically retained strict control over media rights, sponsorship deals, and production elements tied to the halftime event.  The gap between Swift’s expectations and the league’s longstanding model appears to have prevented an agreement.

The league looks beyond Swift

With Swift declining the invitation, attention has shifted toward other potential performers. Reports indicate that Adele has reemerged as a possible candidate for the Santa Clara showcase.  The British singer previously turned down an offer in 2016, citing the show’s emphasis on spectacle rather than music. Whether her position has changed remains uncertain, but industry insiders confirm that her name is once again on the shortlist.

The decision ultimately lies with Roc Nation, the entertainment company led by JAY-Z. Since 2019, Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL to oversee halftime programming, aiming to modernize the event and bring in performers with strong cultural relevance.  Under this framework, the league has featured major acts ranging from Jennifer Lopez and Shakira to Dr. Dre and Rihanna.  Swift would have been a natural extension of this trend, but the breakdown in negotiations underscores the challenges of balancing artist autonomy with league priorities.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has publicly praised Swift, describing her as a “special talent” and emphasizing that she would always be welcome to perform.  However, his comments also indicated that final decisions rest with Roc Nation, reflecting the league’s reliance on its entertainment partner to navigate complex relationships with globally recognized artists.  As the NFL prepares for its 60th Super Bowl, the halftime show remains one of the most-watched entertainment segments worldwide. The absence of Taylor Swift highlights the evolving dynamics between high-profile musicians and major sports institutions.

For the league, the priority is securing a star who can deliver mass appeal while fitting within its operational structure. For artists at Swift’s level, the decision comes down to whether the prestige of the stage outweighs the compromises required.  The 2026 halftime performance, whether headlined by Adele or another globally recognized act, will serve as a reminder that the Super Bowl is not only a championship game but also a reflection of broader negotiations between culture, commerce, and control of the spotlight.