25 High-Profile Performers Who Never Headlined Super Bowl Halftime Show

Taylor Swift

Perhaps the most-requested performer in recent memory, Taylor Swift has dominated global music with her record-breaking albums and tours. Previously, her partnership with Coca-Cola prevented her from appearing in the Pepsi-sponsored Halftime Show. But with Apple Music now the sponsor, anticipation for her eventual performance is sky-high.

Drake

One of the most commercially successful artists of all time, Drake has never performed at the Big Game. His absence is notable given his staggering number of chart-topping hits and streams. Though he appeared in a T-Mobile commercial, he has yet to headline the Halftime Show—a surprising omission for an artist of his stature.

Metallica

Metallica are more than just a rock band. They’re the undisputed kings of heavy metal. With four decades of sold-out concerts and over 125 million albums sold, their energy and iconic riffs would ignite any Halftime Show. Yet the NFL has leaned toward safer choices, overlooking them despite their massive fanbase. They even performed the night before one Super Bowl, but never during the main event.

P!nk

Known for her powerhouse vocals and acrobatic stunts, P!nk is the kind of entertainer tailor-made for the Halftime Show. She sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl LII in 2018, but her high-energy mix of pop-rock and aerial theatrics as a headliner would be nothing short of legendary.

Foo Fighters

Led by Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters are one of the most respected rock bands in the world. Songs like “Everlong” and “Best of You” could electrify the stadium in a heartbeat. With their immense popularity and reputation for incredible live shows, their absence as Halftime headliners remains a sore point for rock fans.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey performed during the pre-game show at Super Bowl XXXVI, but shockingly, she has never headlined the Halftime stage. With 19 number-one hits and a voice that defined an era, the “Songbird Supreme” would be a perfect choice for a legacy performance.

Cher

A true icon for more than six decades, Cher sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999 but has never returned as the Halftime headliner. With a catalog spanning folk-rock, disco, and modern pop, the “Goddess of Pop” could deliver a dazzling, theatrical show fit for the world’s biggest stage.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake has appeared at the Halftime Show twice—once as a guest and once as a headliner. However, neither performance captured the full scope of his career. His first is remembered for the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” with Janet Jackson, while his second was criticized as safe and underwhelming.

Elton John

From flamboyant costumes to timeless hits like “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer,” Sir Elton John embodies the Halftime spectacle. Despite his global superstardom, he has never headlined the show. With his farewell tour underway, the window for an Elton Halftime performance may already have closed.

Adele

One of today’s biggest global stars, Adele has repeatedly turned down the NFL’s offers to perform. In 2016, she explained, “The show is not about music.” With her preference for intimate, music-focused concerts over spectacle-driven productions, it’s unlikely Adele will ever headline the Halftime Show.

Jay-Z

The billionaire rapper, entrepreneur, and cultural icon has long been a defining voice in hip-hop. Yet he turned down an offer to perform at the Halftime Show in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. Ironically, his company Roc Nation now produces the show, making it unlikely he’ll take the stage as headliner himself.

Harry Styles

Harry Styles seems destined for the Super Bowl spotlight. Known for immersive, joy-filled performances, Styles has grown from his One Direction roots into one of the most charismatic entertainers of his generation. A Halftime Show from him is long overdue.

Bon Jovi

“Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” are stadium anthems practically made for the Super Bowl stage. Yet Bon Jovi has never headlined the Halftime Show. They were finalists for the gig in the 1990s but ultimately lost out. For rock fans, their absence remains long overdue.

Dolly Parton

A living legend with a career spanning nearly 50 years, Dolly Parton remains one of the most beloved figures in music. She reportedly declined a Halftime offer in 2015, citing the overwhelming production scale. Still, her timeless hits and cross-generational appeal make her a dream headliner.

Garth Broooks

The best-selling solo artist in U.S. history, Garth Brooks revolutionized live country music with his high-energy shows. He sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXVII but nearly refused due to a video dispute. Despite his superstar presence, Brooks has never headlined the Halftime Show.

Britney Spears

The “Princess of Pop” did make a guest appearance with Aerosmith and *NSYNC in 2001, but she never became a solo headliner. Britney’s absence is one of the biggest “what ifs” in Halftime history. Having defined the sound of the 2000s, she remains a pop culture icon fans still hope to see in the spotlight.

Billy Joel

The “Piano Man” has sold out Madison Square Garden for over a decade and is one of the most successful recording artists of all time. He’s sung the National Anthem at two Super Bowls, but never headlined the Halftime Show. With his classic American songbook, Joel could mesmerize the crowd like no other.

AC/DC

Few bands could electrify a Super Bowl crowd like AC/DC. With raw energy and timeless anthems like “Thunderstruck” and “Back in Black,” their music already dominates sporting events worldwide. Despite being rock legends, the NFL has never invited them to bring their high-voltage show to Halftime.

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin remain one of rock’s most influential bands, and their reunion show in 2007 proved fans still crave their live magic. A Halftime performance would be a dream come true for millions, but with the band’s reluctance toward commercial gigs, this fantasy is unlikely to ever become reality.

Eminem

The “Rap God” made a fiery guest appearance during Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s 2022 Halftime Show, but he’s never had the spotlight to himself. With unparalleled lyrical talent and a catalog of era-defining hits, Eminem could deliver a show-stopping, unforgettable headlining performance.

Justin Bieber

It’s been some years since Bieber performed a full set, following his Ramsay Hunt Syndrome diagnosis in 2022. But with the his Swag album, Bieber is gradually returning to the spotlight while juggling fatherhood. Now, the Halftime Show could be the perfect stage for his comeback, reminding fans of his dynamic live presence.

Ariana Grande

Fans have been calling for Ariana Grande’s Halftime Show debut for years. With powerhouse vocals and a record-breaking catalog, she’s more than ready. Her Positions album and stunning Vevo performances prove she can deliver on the biggest stage. Certainly, the Super Bowl would be the ultimate encore.

Def Leppard

With hits like “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Photograph,” Def Leppard could easily deliver a nostalgic, stadium-shaking Halftime performance. As one of the best-selling rock bands in history, their resurgence in recent years makes them a prime candidate to headline the NFL’s biggest stage.

Queen (with Adam Lambert)

Queen’s stadium-shaking anthems like “We Will Rock You” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” are tailor-made for the Halftime Show. While Freddie Mercury’s legendary presence is irreplaceable, Adam Lambert has kept the band’s magic alive on global tours. Surprisingly, despite their worldwide appeal, Queen has never been tapped to headline the Super Bowl.

Kanye West

For over a decade, Kanye West redefined live performance with ambitious, visually stunning productions. His creativity and unpredictability could have made the Halftime Show a landmark cultural moment. However, his controversies in recent years have made him too risky for the NFL—a missed opportunity for what could have been an iconic spectacle.