A Rocky Start to the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl had an interesting kickoff. Green Day took the stage at Super Bowl LX’s opening ceremony, celebrating iconic MVPs from the past, like Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, and the Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli.

Mike Dirnt, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Tre Cool, the band’s trio, returned to their roots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, just ahead of the highly anticipated game.

The performance began with “Holiday,” followed by “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “American Idiot.”

In a surprising move, despite their previous political statements, the band refrained from making direct political remarks during their set, which was a bit unexpected for fans.

The NFL had announced Green Day’s performance back on January 18. Armstrong expressed his excitement about performing, saying, “I’m so thrilled to bring Super Bowl 60 to my backyard. It’s an honor to welcome some of the MVPs who have shaped the game and open the night for fans everywhere. Let’s make it fun!”

Tim Tubito, NFL Director of Events, noted that partnering with a local band like Green Day to celebrate 60 years of Super Bowl history is a fantastic way to kick off the event.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump shared his thoughts, revealing he would not attend the Super Bowl this year, mainly due to it being too far away. While he criticized both Green Day and halftime artist Bad Bunny as poor choices, he claimed the distance was the main reason for missing out.

Interestingly, just a week prior, Armstrong publicly supported anti-deportation protesters, emphasizing that he didn’t align with the “MAGA agenda” or its sentiments. Earlier, he had led an anti-Trump chant at a festival, making his stance clear with songs and personalized lyrics.

Green Day, which originated in 1987, boasts an impressive catalog with 14 studio albums and numerous awards, including five Grammys. Their most recent album, “Savers,” came out on January 19, 2024.

Other musical highlights of the 2026 Super Bowl include Charlie Puth for the national anthem, Brandi Carlile performing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones with “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Bad Bunny, at 31, is slated to headline the halftime show.