The Super Bowl is one of the biggest global events annually. Some watch for the football, some watch for the commercials, but millions of people watch just for the Halftime show.
Over the years, the halftime show has slowly gone from a past time for super bowl viewers into one of the most expensive 15 minute productions in all entertainment.
People don’t always think about the costs that go into the production of these shows, as the event is based on around the music.
However, there are many factors at play and people involved that costs millions of dollars in order to pull off.
From the staging, audio systems, lighting and custom-built sets that get rolled out over the 50-yard-line in minutes, to the dancers, pyrotechnics and artists cues themselves, there is an army of people behind the scenes that allow these massive productions and high costs worth the investment.
The costs are not random, either.
They depend entirely on the performer and their creative vision, as well as the structure of the hosting stadium itself.
Some venues demand more rigging and engineering, especially newer-built stadiums that have massive LED setups or retractable roofs.
Others require entirely new staging concepts because of the layout of the field, the tunnel systems, and the way cameras have to be positioned for both the attendees and the viewers at home.
Attendance itself also plays a role, as the NFL knows when a show is going to be performed in larger stadiums of 70k+ in-person fans and hundreds of millions of people globally, the production costs have to match the scale of expectations in order to return a profit.
Some artists keep things simple, others go all-in with complicated choreography, massive sets, flying rigs, fire or water effects, LED designs and hundreds of background performers as well.
That’s why artists like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Super Bowl 56 West Coast Legends show end up on the most expensive productions of all-time list.
These artists are not just performers, they expect full-productions and wide creative demands.
For instance, JLo and Shakira’s joint performance brought its own complexity, merging two full headline-level productions into just one halftime window.
It’s also why someone like Michael Jackson or Travis Scott/Drake do not show up here.
They are some of the greatest performers and biggest names ever, but their halftime performances required smaller budgets, simpler staging and nothing close to the technological scale of what the performances on this list used.
Prince is included as an honorable mention, because he was known for theatrics and being a spectacle even in a time when the league wasn’t spending like it does today on halftime show productions.
So, here are the five most expensive Super Bowl halftime productions of all time, and why they cost as much as they did.
1. Kendrick Lamar (Super Bowl 58, 2024)
- Production Cost: ~$20 million
- Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, NV
- Attendance: 65,000+
- Broadcast Viewership: ~90 million+ viewers
- Performance Highlights:
- Lamar’s performance was highly anticipated, thanks to Drake practically crowning him as the top artist of the current generation, despite what the numbers might say.
- Innovative stage design, fierce visuals, and political messages, as Kendrick brought his raw, poetic style to the biggest stage in the world. Families all over were coming together to watch the show due to the possibility of him playing “Not Like Us” and he delivered.
- The only “guest” artist other than SZA alongside the rapper for their album together, Serena Williams was seen to be “Crip Walking” behind the set.
- Artist Compensation: Like the others, no direct payment. The NFL foots the production bill.
- Revenue Impact: Post-performance, Lamar’s streams skyrocketed, especially since he managed to diss Drake on live TV at the 2nd biggest event that’s streamed yearly. With that and his next album already dropping, expect a jump in album sales and tour revenue just like his predecessors.
2. West Coast Legends (Super Bowl 56, 2022)
Production Cost: ~$20 million
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Attendance: 70,000+
Broadcast Viewership: ~120 million+ viewers
Performance Highlights:
- This was the first hip-hop–focused halftime show, headlined by Dr. Dre and built around a full West Coast tribute.
- The set design was insane, featuring a block-style white cityscape with multiple stages, fully custom-built and packed with LED panels, lighting rigs, and moving pieces.
- 50 Cent literally dropped in from the ceiling, Eminem took a knee on live TV, and Mary J. Blige shut the place down with pure vocals.
- Kendrick Lamar delivered a tight, controlled, high-energy performance in his signature cube-formation setup.
- The entire show felt like a celebration of LA’s music culture, engineered specifically for SoFi’s architecture and broadcast angles.
- Artist Compensation: Same deal as always nobody got paid. NFL covered the multi-million-dollar production, but the performers did it for the exposure and long-term revenue impact.
- Revenue Impact: Streams for every artist spiked immediately after. Dr. Dre saw a 185% jump in catalog streams, and the entire lineup saw huge bumps across Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The performance heavily boosted their combined digital presence, proving the halftime show’s marketing power even for already-iconic, mainstream artists.
3. Jennifer Lopez & Shakira (Super Bowl 54, 2020)
- Production Cost: ~$13 million
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- Attendance: 65,000+
- Broadcast Viewership: ~100 million viewers
- Performance Highlights:
- Iconic dual-performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, showcasing Latin culture.
- The stage was a massive setup with 38 moveable parts, creating an epic visual experience.
- Shakira opened with a bang, while J.Lo hit the stage with her unforgettable pole dance and power moves.
- Artist Compensation: No direct payment.
- Revenue Impact: Post-show, both artists saw huge spikes in streaming numbers. J.Lo’s streams shot up by 335%, while Shakira’s hit a 230% increase. That’s the power of the Super Bowl stage.
4. Lady Gaga (Super Bowl 51, 2017)
- Production Cost: Estimated at $10 million
- Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
- Attendance: About 70,000
- Broadcast Viewership: ~110 million+ viewers
- Performance Highlights:
- Lady Gaga opened with a rooftop entrance, singing “God Bless America,” immediately setting the tone.
- She ran through a high-energy medley of her biggest hits like “Poker Face,” “Born This Way,” and “Bad Romance.”
- The show featured drones, pyrotechnics, and a truly next-level production.
- Artist Compensation: Gaga didn’t pocket a check for this one either, the NFL handled all the production.
- Revenue Impact: Gaga’s digital sales exploded after the show, increasing by 1,000%. This performance was a huge commercial win for her.
5. Beyoncé (Super Bowl 50, 2016)
- Production Cost: Around $600,000
- Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
- Attendance: 70,000+
- Broadcast Viewership: ~111 million+ viewers
- Performance Highlights:
- Beyoncé’s set included a surprise reunion with Destiny’s Child, which had fans losing it.
- Her performance was packed with political messages and fierce choreography, creating a lasting impact.
- The stage was decked out with sharp visuals and intense lighting, adding to the power of her performance.
- Artist Compensation: As with the others, Bey didn’t get paid a dime. NFL covered production costs.
- Revenue Impact: Beyoncé saw a 1,000% jump in digital sales post-performance, showing how powerful the Super Bowl stage is.
Honorable: Prince (Super Bowl 41, 2007)
- Production Cost: ~$12 million
- Venue: Miami Dolphins Stadium, Miami, FL
- Attendance: 74,000+
- Broadcast Viewership: ~95 million+ viewers
- Performance Highlights:
- Prince’s show is still one of the most iconic in Super Bowl history. His set included hits like “Purple Rain,”Lets and “Baby I’m a Star.”
- He performed in the pouring rain, proving his artistry as resilient.
- The stage had a unique floating effect, and the visuals were a perfect match for his electrifying presence.
- Artist Compensation: No paycheck. NFL takes care of the production.
- Revenue Impact: Even after the show, Prince’s performance cemented his legacy, with sales and streams continuing to climb post-Super Bowl.
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Credits
Written by: Aidan Anderson
Research and Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: Forbes, ESPN, Billboard, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Super Bowl costs/revenue archives, APSM Proprietary Analysis.
Featured Image: Public Domain / Instagram
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute as professional advice.
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