Global music superstar The Weeknd will play the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show, the NFL, Pepsi, and entertainment company Roc Nation announced on Nov. 12.
Roc Nation, which was founded by Jay-Z, and the league began a multi-year partnership in 2019 to “enhance the NFL’s live game experiences and to amplify the league’s social justice efforts.”
As part of the deal, Roc Nation is advising the league on the selection of artists for major NFL performances, like the Super Bowl; the 2019 season’s halftime show — the first co-produced by Roc Nation — was co-headlined by Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
“The Weeknd has introduced a sound all his own. His soulful uniqueness has defined a new generation of greatness in music and artistry,” Jay-Z said in a statement. “This is an extraordinary moment in time and the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show is going to be an extraordinary experience with an extraordinary performer.”
The Weeknd’s latest album, “After Hours,” is the No. 1 most-streamed R&B album in history, outpacing his own previous record from 2016’s “Starboy.” “Blinding Lights,” the second single off the album, has spent a record 46 weeks — and counting — at No. 1 on Billboard’s U.S. radio chart.
“We all grow up watching the world’s biggest acts playing the Super Bowl and one can only dream of being in that position,” The Weeknd said. “I’m humbled, honored and ecstatic to be the center of that infamous stage this year.”
Super Bowl LV — which culminates the 2020 season — is currently scheduled to take place in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 7, 2021. The NFL, however, is reportedly looking into possibly adding an additional week to the season in order to make up for games impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks, which could push the event back.
It is also unclear how many fans will be in attendance at the game. ESPN reported that the NFL is considering limiting attendance to 20% of Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, which normally holds 65,000 fans. Fans may also be required to sit in pods, stay socially distanced and wear masks while in the stadium.
