Has Taylor Swift Ever Been Asked to Headline the Halftime Show?

Taylor Swift has spent the days leading up to Super Bowl LIX hanging out in New Orleans with friends who are also attending the big game. As her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, takes the field, she only needs to worry about whether he’ll have a great game. At least, we think that is all she needs to focus on. In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, fans have begun theorizing that Kendrick Lamar, headlining the halftime show, will bring Swift out as a surprise guest. As of game time, that’s unconfirmed. While Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was the most profitable music tour in history, the famed singer was not asked to headline the halftime show for Super Bowl LIX, but has she ever been approached? According to several sources, she’s been approached in the past and has turned down the invite.

Has Taylor Swift ever been asked to perform at a Super Bowl halftime show?

Despite rumors of her involvement in the halftime show, Taylor Swift is not headlining for Super Bowl LIX. Kendrick Lamar was announced as the headliner months ago. SZA will join as a guest star. Lamar has performed before. We know Taylor Swift wasn’t approached about headlining this year’s show. Still, we can’t help but wonder if she’s ever been approached with an invite.

As it turns out, she has. Reportedly, the NFL approached Taylor Swift about performing at the halftime show multiple times, but she declined each time. Time claims she initially refused because Pepsi sponsored the show, while Swift has partnered with Coca-Cola. More recently, after Apple Music began sponsoring the show, she was approached to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LVI but declined to focus on recording. It doesn’t appear that she’s been approached about the opportunity since. Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs did not compete in Super Bowl LVI. They’ve appeared in the two Super Bowls since and will aim for a history “three-peat” at Super Bowl LIX.

If Taylor Swift joined Kendrick Lamar on stage, would Travis Kelce get to see it?

If Lamar does bring out Swift, even for a song, odds are her boyfriend wouldn’t get to see her perform. Players for both teams will be in the locker room during this year’s halftime show, just as they are every other year. While the break might seem fun for speculators, it’s an important physical and mental pause for the players, who use the time to relax and refuel for the next half. Watching the halftime show would be seen as a distraction, and it’s very much advised against.

That doesn’t mean a player has never opted to stay for the show instead of joining his team. In 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals’ placekicker Evan McPherson made headlines when he stayed behind on the field to take in the halftime show during Super Bowl LVI. While McPherson didn’t seem worried about being “distracted,” he probably should have been. The Bengals lost 23-20. Travis Kelce probably wouldn’t risk doing the same.