If you're a country music fan, then what you're about to read should come with a trigger warning. According to TMZ, two popular megastars are being considered for the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show, and neither of them is a country artist.
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The outlet has named Justin Bieber and Harry Styles as being near the top of the NFL's wishlist for the next Super Bowl. Still, it's worth noting that Jay-Z and his company, Roc Nation, are partnered with the NFL as the "live music entertainment strategist."
A small glimmer of hope for country music fans is that, according to TMZ, neither Bieber nor Styles would be expected to accept the invitation, should the NFL reach out.
"We're told Justin and Harry have not been approached about the show yet. ... Sources tell us Justin and Harry are both unlikely to take the gig if they are finally approached," TMZ reports. "The NFL does NOT pay the Super Bowl halftime show performer ... but the artists usually take the gig for exposure and a boost in streaming revenue and ticket sales, especially when they have new music coming out."
Super Bowl LXI is set to take place on Feb. 14 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Luke Combs Would Welcome a Chance to Headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show
When appearing on the 'Zach SangShow' podcast, earlier this year, country star Luke Combs threw his hat into the ring for the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show.
"I think the people would love it," Combs said. "And that's no pitch for me, I think it's just a pitch for country music in general. Whether it's Garth or Morgan Wallen or whoever it is. Somebody deserves to be up there doing the thing. I think country is the zeitgeist now, like it's not a niche genre anymore. Even 10 years ago I would say it was. It's not anymore. I think it's undeniable. How many of the top 100 streaming songs in all of music are country? A very high percentage, I think, now. Way more so than in history. So, I think it's undeniable, I think it's time, whoever's having those conversations. I don't know. It's above my pay grade."
Unfortunately, it would seem that currently, neither the NFL nor Roc Nation holds any interest in bringing country back to the big stage. Whether that changes between now and Feb. 14, will remain to be seen.
