Ever since Taylor Swift started dating Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, she’s become a regular face at NFL games. Cameras instantly turn toward her whenever she’s spotted cheering from the stands, often stealing the spotlight from the field itself. With her strong presence throughout the season, many fans began to wonder if Taylor would take over the Super Bowl 60 Halftime Show — a rumor that grew louder in recent months. But now, reports suggest that the deal between her team and the NFL has fallen apart, and here’s why.
According to a report from Rob Shuter’s Substack, Taylor Swift was very interested in performing at the Super Bowl. However, she reportedly had one major condition — she wanted to own the rights to her performance and secure promotional slots for her own projects. The demand wasn’t up for negotiation, as Taylor has been very vocal about controlling her creative work since her public dispute over her master recordings. The NFL, however, refused to meet those terms, which led to the talks breaking down.
Traditionally, the NFL doesn’t pay halftime performers. The league covers the cost of production, which often runs into millions of dollars, while the artists gain massive global exposure — more than 100 million people tune in to watch every year. For most performers, that visibility is payment enough. But for Taylor Swift, who’s already at the top of her career with her record-breaking Eras Tour, exposure isn’t something she needs. An insider explained it simply: “She wanted a deal that reflected her value. Without that, she wasn’t going to move forward.”
When asked earlier this year about Taylor possibly headlining the show, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised her, calling her “a special, special talent,” but avoided confirming anything. His “maybe” response gave fans hope for months. But with Taylor reportedly stepping away, it looks like those hopes are over — at least for now.
The official announcement about the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show lineup is expected to be made during the Packers–Cowboys game broadcast. The event is set to take place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Other names that were in the running included Adele, Miley Cyrus, Drake, Metallica, Post Malone, and BTS. However, it’s now been confirmed that Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 halftime show — a major moment for both Latin music and global pop culture.
