The National Football League has announced that the Grammy-winning punk rock band Green Day will perform at the opening ceremony for Super Bowl 60 on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The band, comprised of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool, hails from the nearby San Francisco Bay Area.
Band's Political History Takes Center Stage
Green Day's selection has ignited conversation due to the group's long history of political outspokenness, particularly their criticism of former President Donald Trump. Throughout their 30-plus year career, the band has frequently used their platform for activism.
During a 2025 concert in England, Armstrong labeled Trump's administration a "fascist government" and urged the crowd to "fight back." The singer has also adapted lyrics from their 2004 hit American Idiot in protest, singing "I'm not a part of a MAGA agenda" at live shows.
The NFL, however, is emphasizing the celebratory and local aspects of the performance. Tim Tubito, the league's senior director of event and game presentation, stated, "Celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history with Green Day as a hometown band, while honouring the NFL legends who've helped define this sport, is an incredibly powerful way to kick off Super Bowl LX."
Super Bowl Lineup Fuels Broader Political Controversy
The political narrative surrounding this year's Super Bowl entertainment extends beyond the opening ceremony. The halftime show will feature reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny, a vocal critic of Donald Trump who supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Bad Bunny's selection previously drew ire from some of Trump's allies, leading to a petition to replace him with country artist George Strait. In an October 2025 interview on NewsMax, Trump claimed he had "never heard of" Bad Bunny and called the choice "absolutely ridiculous." Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick also criticized the selection of a performer whose songs are primarily in Spanish for a major American television event.
Now, with Green Day's addition, some fans are questioning if the NFL is making a deliberate statement. Reactions on social media platform X have been polarized, with one user calling NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a "TDS Clown" and another stating Green Day's involvement was "enough for me to boycott the game."
A History of Political Moments at the Big Game
Political statements during Super Bowl performances are not unprecedented. In 2020, some viewers interpreted Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's halftime show, which featured performers in cages, as commentary on Trump's immigration policies. In 2022, rapper Eminem took a knee during his performance, echoing the protest started by former quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
For the Super Bowl 60 opening ceremony, Green Day will play a selection of their well-known anthems as part of a show honoring MVPs from the game's six-decade history. Other performers include Charlie Puth singing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile performing America the Beautiful, and Coco Jones singing Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Armstrong expressed the band's excitement in a statement: "We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard! We are honoured to welcome the MVPs who've shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let's have fun! Let's get loud!" The performance promises to be a high-energy start to one of the world's most-watched sporting events, regardless of the political undertones.
