Kendrick Lamar delivered a blistering set as he headlined the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show tonight as the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs with a final score of 22-40.
Pop star Taylor Swift cheered on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, but was ultimately left crestfallen as the team failed to secure a historic third consecutive Super Bowl.
Lamar was joined onstage by his frequent collaborator SZA, along with surprise guests Samuel L Jackson and Serena Williams, as he delivered a medley of favourites including his Grammy-winning Drake diss track, “Not Like Us”.
Viewers got to take part in some celebrity spotting as Swift was joined in her box by friends including rapper Ice Spice and the Haim sisters. However, her longtime pals Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appeared to skip the event.
US President Donald Trump was also in attendance but left early after his Chiefs win prediction fell flat.
This year’s event took place in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome.
Super Bowl 2025 key points
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Kendrick Lamar self-censors brutal Not Like Us lyrics in Super Bowl halftime performance
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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appear to skip Super Bowl with Taylor Swift amid Justin Baldoni drama
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Drake vs Kendrick: A timeline of the feud between the two rap stars
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Travis Kelce’s coy response about proposing to Taylor Swift
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PICTURES: Patrick Mahomes looks grim-faced as Eagles batter Chiefs
Watch: Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar’s best moments
04:00 , Tom Murray
How Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show went down
03:43 , Tom Murray
Kendrick Lamar put on a blistering Super Bowl halftime show, as he brought out surprise guests Samuel L Jackson and Serena Williams as well as his longtime collaborator SZA at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Roisin O’Connor recaps the performance here:
Kendrick Lamar KOs Drake in blistering Super Bowl halftime show
Trump leaves Super Bowl early
03:24 , Tom Murray
Trump left the Super Bowl surprisingly early after his pre-game prediction of a victory for the Kansas City Chiefs fell short.
Read more:
Trump leaves Super Bowl early after Chiefs prediction falls flat
Ben Stiller: ‘Best halftime show ever’
03:18 , Tom Murray
One person who particularly appreciated Lamar’s halftime show was Ben Stiller. He tweeted: “Best halftime show ever..”
That’s it! Game over, sorry Chiefs
03:07 , Roisin O’Connor
Again, not a sports expert, but I think it’s safe to say the Eagles wiped the floor with the Chiefs.
Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl halftime show 2025: All the surprise guests and setlist in full
03:03 , Inga Parkel
Kendrick Lamar gave a showstopping halftime performance at the 2025 Super Bowl that celebrated both old and new hits and featured a few famous faces and voices.
Dressed in a leather sports jacket, jeans and a backward cap, the 37-year-old Grammy-winning rapper took the field on Sunday, following his recent Grammy victories, to deliver an energetic and unforgettable concert.
Before he took the stage, though, he was introduced by Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam. The Pulp Fiction actor stayed throughout the show to introduce each segment.
Lamar was later joined by his longtime collaborator and R&B singer SZA to deliver spot-on renditions of their songs “luther” and “All the Stars.”
Toward the end of the rapper’s performance, the cameras panned to his backup dancers, which featured an unexpected cameo from tennis superstar Serena Williams.
Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl halftime show setlist and surprise guests in full
Taylor Swift’s three-word response to Super Bowl crowd’s boos
02:49 , Roisin O’Connor
Taylor Swift’s response to Super Bowl crowd boos as she watches Chiefs’ Travis Kelce
Social media reactions to Kendrick’s set
02:24 , Roisin O’Connor
On social media, many fans seemed delighted by the 12-minute set, while others complained that Lamar had failed to perform anything from his earlier albums, such as his Grammy-winning 2015 record, To Pimp a Butterfly, or 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
Kendrick Lamar self-censors brutal Not Like Us lyrics in Super Bowl halftime performance
02:18 , Roisin O’Connor
Kendrick Lamar self-censors brutal Not Like Us lyrics in Super Bowl halftime show
Kendrick Lamar’s setlist for the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show
02:08 , Roisin O’Connor
In order…
Squabble Up
HUMBLE
DNA
Euphoria
Man at the Garden
Peekaboo
Luther (ft. SZA)
All the Stars (ft. SZA)
Not Like Us
TV Off
Super Bowl Football (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Taylor Swift booed by Eagles fans at Super Bowl – while Trump is cheered
01:57 , Roisin O’Connor
Taylor Swift booed by Eagles fans at Super Bowl – while Trump is cheered
PICTURE: Security tackle pro-Palestine protestor during Kendrick Lamar performance
01:55 , Roisin O’Connor
(AFP via Getty Images)
Car update
01:53 , Roisin O’Connor
My colleagues have gathered to inform me the car Kendrick opened on was a Buick GNX, which makes sense given that’s the name of his latest album. Duhhhhh. Consider me mortified.
That was over far too soon
01:43 , Roisin O’Connor
I could happily have watched another hour of that instead of the football (sorry sports fans), phew!!!!
Just a few smart cameos: Samuel L Jackson, Mustard (on the beat!) and Serena Williams?!
Kendrick censors controversial Not Like Us line
01:39 , Roisin O’Connor
Whole stadium chanting a long to his line “probably A Minor” but he omitted the other line where he brands Drake an “certified paedophile”.
Drake sues his own label for defamation over Kendrick Lamar diss track
PICTURES: Kendrick Lamar headlines the Super Bowl halftime show
01:33 , Roisin O’Connor
(ITV)
(ITV)
(ITV)
(Getty Images)
“Mr Lamar! Do you really know how to play the game?”
01:31 , Roisin O’Connor
A challenge from Mr Jackson prompts Kendrick to launch into a bouncing rendition of “Stay Humble”, with his dancers dressed in the colours of the American flag. Subtle political statement?
It’s Samuel L Jackson!
01:28 , Roisin O’Connor
An early guest cameo from the one and only Samuel L Jackson as Kendrick opens while perched on top of a sports car (sorry I don’t know what one) surrounded by dancers pouring out of said car.
Here we go!!
01:26 , Roisin O’Connor
Lights out as Kendrick takes to the stage!
Aubrey Plaza makes surprise Super Bowl ad appearance in wake of husband’s death
01:21 , Tom Murray
Aubrey Plaza made an appearance during Super Bowl LIX on Sunday in an advertisement for Ritz crackers.
The commercial aired just over a month after her husband Jeff Baena died by suicide at the age of 47 on January 3.
The ad, which was filmed in November 2024, features Plaza and fellow actor Michael Shannon arriving at the fictional Ritz Salty Club. The commercial plays off the pair’s notoriously unamused facial expressions and dry personas.
“These are our people,” Plaza says, and Shannon adds, “our salty brethren.”
Plaza claims she’s the saltiest in the club, to which Shannon replies, “Saltier than me? When I smile, people think it’s a glitch.”
Aubrey Plaza makes surprise Super Bowl ad appearance in wake of husband’s death
Where is Drake as Kendrick Lamar headlines Super Bowl halftime show?
01:14 , Roisin O’Connor
Where is Drake as Kendrick Lamar headlines Super Bowl halftime show?
Kendrick Lamar to take to the stage any minute now
01:12 , Roisin O’Connor
Some respite for the Chiefs with halftime imminent, it’s not looking good…
Kendrick Lamar is about to take to the stage for his hugely anticipated halftime show.
PICTURES: Patrick Mahomes looks grim-faced as Eagles batter Chiefs
01:04 , Roisin O’Connor
(ITV)
(ITV)
COMMENT: The Tom Brady answer everybody is waiting for at Super Bowl LIX
00:55 , Roisin O’Connor
The former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback has endured a testing start to life in the booth with Fox after penning a 10-year, $375m deal, but, as Jack Rathborn discusses, Super Bowl LIX offers Brady a chance to prove his worth in this fascinating next chapter, writes Jack Rathborn:
The Tom Brady answer everybody is waiting for at Super Bowl LIX
Super Bowl 2025 halftime show: Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions
00:51 , Roisin O’Connor
Anticipation is building for Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, set to take place tonight (February 9).
In the game itself, the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to defend their championship title for a third consecutive year — this time against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s all set to kick off in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST.
Lamar, 37, is no stranger to the biggest stage in American sport. He came out as a guest performer when Dr Dre headlined the event in 2022, along with Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Mary J Blige.
The Super Bowl often attracts a diverse range of surprise guests. Last year, headliner Usher brought out Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, Ludacris and HER.
One guest who won’t be a surprise during Lamar’s set is SZA. The 35-year-old singer is a frequent collaborator of Lamar’s and is soon set to join him on tour. It has already been confirmed that she will appear alongside the Grammy-winning rapper at the Super Bowl, although she’s keeping tight-lipped about exactly what role she’ll be playing.
Full story:
Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions for Super Bowl halftime show
PICTURES: Eagles celebrate latest score
00:49 , Roisin O’Connor
(REUTERS)
Eagles are battering the Chiefs right now ahead of Kendrick’s halftime show
00:47 , Roisin O’Connor
Again, I’m no expert but the Chiefs are definitely taking a battering by the Philly Eagles – the cameras are keeping a respectful distance from Swift but she must be stressing.
Taylor Swift looks serious as she watches Travis Kelce
00:27 , Roisin O’Connor
So far the Eagles are ahead of the Chiefs, which probably explains why Swift appears very focused as she watches from her box with friends Ice Spice and the Haim sisters. Surprisingly sedate box this year compared to the celeb-packed antics of 2024.
Who is Kendrick Lamar dating? Everything we know about his fiancée Whitney Alford and their two children
00:22 , Amber Raiken
Super Bowl LIX is fast approaching, with Kendrick Lamar set to take the stage at the halftime show in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The 2025 Super Bowl will be taking place tonight (February 9), with the Kansas City Chiefs returning to the field in hopes of a three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles. The two teams previously faced off against each other in 2023, with the Chiefs winning 38-35.
The halftime event is expected to be a show-stopping occasion, with Lamar as the headliner. The “Not Like Us” singer will be joined by his longtime collaborator and friend, SZA, who he’s going on tour with later this year.
Who is Kendrick Lamar’s fiancée? Everything we know about Whitney Alford
UPDATE:Sports is happening
00:08 , Roisin O’Connor
Honestly, this could be Squid Game for all I understand of it, but one observant pundit just said “it’s chaos out there”, which is what I would have said, so maybe I am an expert after all.
IN PICTURES: Celeb-spotting at the Super Bowl
00:01 , Roisin O’Connor
Government dignitaries including Kristi Noem, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tommy Tuberville attend Super Bowl LIX (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Paul McCartney (ITV)
Taylor Swift (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Will Taylor Swift make an announcement tonight?
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:53 , Roisin O’Connor
Swifties have been desperate for a sign that Swift’s re-recording of Reputation is on the way – the Grammys turned out to be a bust, but could she share some news this evening? My colleagues are in denial but I’m convinced that Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes have rocked up in Reputation colours (red and green/teal). There’s a chance I’m reading too much in to it but they all owe me money if I’m right.
Drake vs Kendrick: A timeline of the feud between the two rap stars
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:46 , Roisin O’Connor
Obviously everyone’s talking about the Eagles vs the Chiefs, but what about the rivalry between two of hip-hop’s biggest stars?
Drake vs Kendrick: A timeline of their ongoing feud
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appear to skip Super Bowl with Taylor Swift amid Justin Baldoni drama
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:37 , Tom Murray
Blake Lively was not present at Super Bowl LIX on Sunday as her best friend Taylor Swift cheered on her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lively attended last year’s championship game with Swift and Ice Spice and has attended a number of other Chiefs games with the pop megastar.
Ice Spice returned to join Swift at this year’s game but Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds were notable absences amid the former’s ongoing legal drama with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni.
Last December, Lively filed a bombshell complaint against Baldoni — who also directed the movie — alleging sexual harassment.
In the filing, her lawyers claimed that Baldoni’s PR team hired Wallace to assist in an alleged smear campaign against Lively. It was claimed he “weaponized a digital army around the country from New York to Los Angeles to create, seed and promote content that appeared to be authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums.”
Blake Lively appears to skip Super Bowl with Taylor Swift amid Justin Baldoni drama
A shot of that Travis Kelce suit…
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:36 , Roisin O’Connor
No further comment your honour
(Getty Images)
A note of caution for the sports fans…
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:21 , Roisin O’Connor
Just a disclaimer for any sports fans hoping for some in-depth American football commentary, YOU WILL NOT FIND IT HERE. Our dedicated sports team, who actually know about all that stuff, will be sharing updates tonight – this blog is more about the halftime show and all the celeb sightings. I could try to offer some sports commentary but it’ll be purely for the comedy value.
Travis Kelce’s coy response about proposing to Taylor Swift
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:20 , Roisin O’Connor
Travis Kelce’s coy response about proposing to Taylor Swift
Wow, the noise in the stadium!!
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:19 , Roisin O’Connor
This is crazy, I don’t remember it being this raucous at the last Super Bowl. But then they’re on the Eagles home turf and the Chiefs are after a three-peat so the tension is HIGH.
Lady Gaga delivers emotional performance in New Orleans
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:10 , Roisin O’Connor
Lots of praise on social media for Lady Gaga’s pre-Bowl performance of “Hold My Hand”, an homage to the victims of the deadly Bourbon Street attack.
(ITV)
Will Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds turn up?
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:06 , Roisin O’Connor
One thing celeb-watchers are keen to ascertain is whether Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds show their faces. My guess is no, given the media circus around their pal Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce – as many will know, they’re currently in the middle of a feud with Lively’s It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni.
How much does a Super Bowl ad cost in 2025?
Sunday 9 February 2025 23:01 , Roisin O’Connor
Ad space was in high demand this year, according to the Fox Sports executive vice president of sales:
How much does a Super Bowl ad cost in 2025?
Trump participates in a meet-and-greet ahead of kick-off
Sunday 9 February 2025 22:52 , Roisin O’Connor
President Donald Trump participated in a meet and greet with the honorary coin toss participants, including family members of the victims from the New Orleans truck attack, members of the New Orleans Police Department, and emergency personnel, as he attended the Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Taylor Swift spotted at Super Bowl
Sunday 9 February 2025 22:43 , Mike Bedigan
Taylor Swift has been spotted at the Super Bowl.
The pop megastar’s attendance has been highly anticipated, and she has been spotted several times in New Orleans ahead of Sunday’s game.
Swift is dating Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce.
(USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
VIDEO: Pregnant Rihanna performs stunning Super Bowl 2023 half time show
Sunday 9 February 2025 22:38 , Roisin O’Connor
How much is Kendrick being paid to perform the Super Bowl halftime show?
Sunday 9 February 2025 22:20 , Roisin O’Connor
Rapper Kendrick Lamar is gearing up to give one of his biggest career performances at the 2025 Super Bowl.
The 37-year-old rapper has been tapped to headline this year’s NFL championship halftime show, where he will be joined by his longtime collaborator and R&B star SZA. And while many might (understandably) assume Lamar would be getting a hefty paycheck for his service, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, Lamar will receive no compensation for his concert.
Here’s how it works:
What is Kendrick being paid to perform the Super Bowl halftime show?
Pete Davidson and Kevin Costner pictured at Super Bowl
Sunday 9 February 2025 22:10 , Mike Bedigan
Football – NFL – Super Bowl LIX – Philadelphia Eagles v Kansas City Chiefs – Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States – February 9, 2025 Actors Pete Davidson and Kevin Costner before the game (REUTERS)
Super Bowl halftime show: Who is performing, when to watch and how to stream
Sunday 9 February 2025 22:01 , Roisin O’Connor
How to watch Kendrick Lamar play the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show
Jay-Z and his daughter Blue Ivy Carter spotted at Super Bowl
Sunday 9 February 2025 21:56 , Mike Bedigan
Rapper Jay-Z and his daughter Blue Ivy Carter have arrived for the Super Bowl.
No sign of his wife Beyonce yet, though Kendrick did tease a “big surprise” in his performance. You never know …
Jay-Z and his daughter Blue Ivy Carter, right, are seen on the sidelines before the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans (AP)
U.S. Secret Service releases Super Bowl ad (featuring Trump)
Sunday 9 February 2025 21:50 , Mike Bedigan
Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engaged? Relationship timeline as Super Bowl 2025 gets underway
Sunday 9 February 2025 21:39 , Roisin O’Connor
A full timeline of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship, as Kansas City Chiefs head to the 2025 Super Bowl
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s complete relationship timeline
Super Bowl halftime show: The 10 greatest performances, from Rihanna to Bruce Springsteen
Sunday 9 February 2025 21:00 , Roisin O’Connor
The 59th edition of the Super Bowl will take place this Sunday (Sunday 9 February) at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Aside from the game itself, the biggest talking point of the Super Bowl is the halftime show, where some of the world’s most famous artists – from Bruce Springsteen to Katy Perry – have entertained fans at the stadium.
This time around, all eyes will be on Kendrick Lamar at halftime, as the Grammy-winning hip-hop star prepares to put on a spectacular event, after Usher headlined last year.
In 2023, Rihanna made jaws drop not only with her incredible performance, but with her shock pregnancy reveal.
Meanwhile, 2022’s show was a hip-hop celebration, with joint headliners Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Dr Dre.
Ahead of this year’s Super Bowl, here are 10 of the all-time greatest halftime shows.
The 10 greatest Super Bowl halftime shows of all time
Super Bowl 2025 halftime show: Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions
Sunday 9 February 2025 20:29 , Roisin O’Connor
SZA is already confirmed to join the Grammy-winning rapper on stage, but who else could join him tonight?
Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions for Super Bowl halftime show
Kendrick Lamar says Super Bowl halftime show will ‘make people think’
Sunday 9 February 2025 20:01 , Roisin O’Connor
Drake vs Kendrick: A timeline of the Scorpion artist’s feud with the Not Like Us rapper
Sunday 9 February 2025 19:28 , Roisin O’Connor
A rivalry between two of the world’s biggest rappers has simmered for years, flaring up again last year thanks to multiple surprise tracks, including Kendrick’s Grammy-winning ‘Not Like Us’…
Drake vs Kendrick: A timeline of their ongoing feud
Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engaged? Relationship timeline as Super Bowl 2025 gets underway
Sunday 9 February 2025 19:00 , Roisin O’Connor
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s complete relationship timeline
Kendrick Lamar albums ranked in order of greatness as he headlines Super Bowl 2025
Sunday 9 February 2025 18:29 , Roisin O’Connor
As Kendrick Lamar’s much-anticipated performance at this year’s Super Bowl approaches, Kevin E G Perry rates the rapper’s albums to date
Kendrick Lamar albums ranked in order of greatness
6 easy recipes for tonight’s game, from wings and pigs in blankets to seven-layer dip
Sunday 9 February 2025 18:01 , Roisin O’Connor
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles are battling it out tonight
Super Bowl food 2024: Six easy recipes for tonight’s game
David Beckham’s ‘lost-long twin brother’ revealed as Hollywood A-lister in Super Bowl ad
Sunday 9 February 2025 17:30 , Roisin O’Connor
Super Bowl 2025 halftime show: Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions
Sunday 9 February 2025 17:01 , Roisin O’Connor
Anticipation is building for Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, set to take place tonight (February 9).
In the game itself, the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to defend their championship title for a third consecutive year — this time against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s all set to kick off in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning at 6:30 p.m. EST.
Kendrick Lamar surprise guests and setlist predictions for Super Bowl halftime show
VIDEO: Kendrick Lamar says Super Bowl halftime show will ‘make people think’
Sunday 9 February 2025 10:00 , Roisin O’Connor