What was the Greatest Halftime Show at the Super Bowl?

Music and sport go hand-in-hand. From the ring walk of a championship boxer in Las Vegas to the entertainment before a National Hockey League match, music has a special place in the hearts of sports fans. The two industries share a special relationship but are never closer than when meeting at the Super Bowl.

The halftime Super Bowl show is as famous as the NFL season-defining match. Some years, the artists and performances out-shine the players and game, leaving a long-lasting memory. That may sound like a stretch of the imagination or even an exaggeration, but we can prove our point by looking at the 2022 NFL Super Bowl in Inglewood, California.

Let’s start with some details of the match. Which teams contested the final, and which side won the game? Was it a famous upset that hurt Super Bowl betting websites in the pocket? Who scored the winning touchdown, and what was the final score or winning margin? Can you answer those questions? 

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Rams beat the Bengals

Now, we’ll ask some questions about the halftime show, such as who were the leading performers. 

We are confident you will remember the interval for a stunning display from Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg more than you’ll recall the 23-20 win for pre-match favorites the Los Angeles Rams over the Cincinnati Bengals. Point proven? You may need a few more examples. That’s what we’ve got for you on this page.

Read on as we list some of our favorite halftime Super Bowl shows and remind you of the final score. Which sticks in the memory more? Decide for yourself.

Prince

They don’t come much bigger than Prince, and he produced a halftime show that overshadowed the Super Bowl. Not too many artists can say that, but Prince remains one of the few. The legend performed during Super Bowl XLI in 2007 and went down as the most memorable halftime show in living memory. 

Viewers were treated to a live performance of Purple Rain; the rest is history. The Indianapolis Colts won a one-sided match over the Chicago Bears on the field of play, with the final score reading 29-17. The game wasn’t exactly electric, but a few Super Bowl matches would have put a dent in Prince’s day.

Michael Jackson

If any performer could come close to de-throning Prince on this list, it would be Michael Jackson. The American kept fans warm and entertained during the break of the 1993 Super Bowl.

MJ performed some of the tracks that earned him immortality in the music business. Football fans enjoyed Billie Jean and Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, as well as a remarkable dance routine with Jackson showing the kind of silky footwork that would shame even the best NFL players.

But what happened on the turf? Was it enough to send fans home talking about the football, or was Michael Jackson’s name on everyone’s lips as they filed out of the stadium? There’s no doubt MJ was the star in 1993 when the Dallas Cowboys squashed the Buffalo Bills by 30 points to 13. Another one-sided match, but the memory of the entertainment provided by Jackson will last for many years to come.

Beyonce

We already had the King of Pop; now it’s time to relive when the Queen of Pop graced the stage. Beyonce performed at the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show alongside Destiny’s Child. She wasn’t the only star on the stage that day, but sports and music fans will remember Beyonce’s performance more than her bandmates and the football.

Beyonce played a part in a stunning halftime show when performing hits that included Bootylicious, giving solos, and alongside her group. The set included a stunning rendition of Young Forever, memorable by a 12-minute medley that concluded with Beyonce giving a striking rendition of her hit single Halo.

How did the football at the 2013 Super Bowl measure up? As you can imagine, the players had a tough time matching the stars of music, but they got close. The match was won by the Ravens, who edged the 49ers 34 to 31 in a thriller.