Image: Metallica [Official Press Photo]
With the conclusion of the Super Bowl 2025, eyes are already turning to next year—not just those of football fans, but also of music lovers. The Super Bowl 2026 will take place in Santa Clara, California, practically in Metallica’s backyard. Their headquarters is just a stone’s throw away from Levi’s Stadium. So the question arises: Could this be the opportunity for a Metallica halftime show?
James Hetfield on Metallica at the Super Bowl
The discussion about Metallica and the Super Bowl is nothing new—and the answer will probably be just as disappointing this time. James Hetfield has repeatedly addressed why Metallica is unlikely to ever be part of the legendary halftime show. In a 2016 interview with Nikki Sixx, he made his stance clear:
"I can’t dance, I can’t jump around, I’m not an acrobat, I’m not a variety show, you know? We are artists. We are a band. We love playing songs. We are not going to be flying through the air on a sparkly star with a unicorn."
He also spoke about the Super Bowl with The Associated Press that same year:
"Our fan base is really wide, but when it comes to the Super Bowl halftime show, I feel like… that ship has sailed. We are not a variety show, you know? We are not pop. We don’t sparkle and do all that stuff that seems to be required."
Super Bowl 2026: Wishful Thinking or a Real Chance?
Whether Metallica will take the Super Bowl stage despite all skepticism remains uncertain. The metal community would definitely be thrilled. One can only hope that, at some point, a metal band will take over the halftime show with crushing riffs—if not Metallica, then perhaps another giant of the scene.
