Remembering a Legendary Moment
It’s been over two decades since country music last took center stage at the Super Bowl halftime show, and for many fans, the memory still shimmers like a rhinestone in stadium lights. In 2003, Shania Twain delivered one of the most unforgettable performances in halftime history—a glittering blend of star power, vocal mastery, and showmanship that proved country could command the world’s biggest stage.
Her medley of “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “Up!” didn’t just entertain millions—it redefined what a halftime show could be. It was bold. It was glamorous. And it bridged the gap between Nashville and pop culture in a way few artists ever have. Since then, the Super Bowl has leaned heavily toward pop, rock, and hip-hop acts. But as we look ahead to 2026, there’s growing buzz that country might finally get another shot at the spotlight.
And if it does, one name towers above the rest: Carrie Underwood.
Why Carrie Fits the Bill
Carrie Underwood’s résumé reads like a blueprint for halftime greatness. From her powerhouse debut on American Idol to her status as one of the most awarded artists in country music history, she’s proven time and again that she can captivate any audience, anywhere.
She’s not just a singer—she’s a performer. Underwood’s 2012 CMA Awards performance of Blown Away remains an electrifying benchmark for live country music. The wind machines, the dramatic lighting, the emotional intensity—it all felt tailor-made for the kind of spectacle the Super Bowl thrives on.
And let’s not forget her long-standing connection to football itself. For over a decade, Underwood has been the voice of Sunday Night Football’s opening theme, a gig that has made her a fixture in the homes of millions of fans every NFL season. She’s woven into the fabric of the game’s culture, giving her a built-in connection to the audience that few other artists can claim.
Timing Is Everything
In show business, opportunity often hinges on timing—and 2026 could be the perfect storm for Carrie Underwood. After years of relentless touring, her schedule is expected to be more flexible, opening the door for a major one-off event like the Super Bowl.
The 2026 game will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California—a venue with a history of hosting genre-diverse events. Rumors suggest the NFL is looking to broaden its musical reach, embracing a mix of styles to reflect the league’s increasingly diverse fan base. After consecutive years of pop and hip-hop dominance, a pivot back to country could be just the shake-up the halftime show needs.
With no other major country stars currently in position to deliver the kind of universally appealing, high-energy show the NFL demands, Underwood may never have a clearer runway.
The Case for Country Music’s Return
It’s not just about nostalgia—there’s a strong business case for bringing country back to halftime. Country music remains one of the most commercially successful genres in the United States, with a loyal fan base that extends far beyond its southern roots. In recent years, crossover hits by artists like Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen have brought fresh attention to the genre from younger listeners and international audiences.
In many ways, country music is uniquely suited to a Super Bowl performance. Its themes—perseverance, pride, community—mirror the spirit of the sport itself. And in Underwood’s case, her pop-leaning production style and arena-ready voice make her an ideal bridge between die-hard country fans and casual viewers.
The NFL has always balanced entertainment value with broad appeal, and Underwood offers both. Her track record shows she can deliver a spectacle without alienating any segment of the audience—a crucial factor for a halftime show that has to please hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.
What a Carrie Underwood Halftime Show Could Look Like
Imagine the opening shot: the camera swoops over Levi’s Stadium as the first notes of Before He Cheats echo across the field. The crowd roars as Underwood struts to center stage, flanked by a high-energy band and a sea of dancers in glittering costumes.
The setlist could pull from her deep well of hits—Church Bells, Good Girl, Cowboy Casanova—each song bringing a new burst of visual spectacle. A gospel-tinged breakdown during Something in the Water could offer a soaring, goosebump-inducing moment, followed by a surprise duet with a major pop or rock act to maximize cross-genre appeal.
Pyrotechnics, dynamic staging, and perhaps a nod to Shania Twain’s 2003 show with a cover or medley would cement the performance as both a tribute and a bold statement of country’s modern power.
Overcoming the Genre Bias
One of the hurdles country music faces at the halftime show is the perception that it’s too regional or niche. The Shania Twain performance in 2003, while widely loved by country fans, didn’t dominate headlines in the same way that later pop-heavy shows did. But times have changed.
Streaming platforms have broken down genre barriers, exposing new audiences to country artists they might never have heard on traditional radio. TikTok trends have catapulted country tracks into global popularity. The NFL, always attuned to shifts in popular culture, may recognize that the “country can’t draw worldwide” narrative no longer holds water.
Carrie Underwood, with her crossover success, global tours, and pop-friendly production, is the perfect artist to challenge that bias head-on.
Lessons from Past Halftime Shows
The NFL’s recent halftime strategy has leaned toward thematic variety—pairing artists from different genres, generations, and cultural backgrounds to create multi-layered spectacles. The 2022 hip-hop showcase featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem proved that halftime can successfully spotlight a genre while still appealing to a broad audience.
If the league wanted to apply that formula to country, Underwood could anchor the show with guest appearances from diverse artists—maybe a rock legend for grit, a pop star for modern appeal, and a fellow country heavyweight for authenticity. This approach would both honor the genre and expand its reach.
Why 2026 Could Be the Best Shot Yet
The NFL has historically been cautious about returning to country for halftime, but several factors make 2026 different:
- Cultural Timing – Country music’s current crossover moment is stronger than it’s been in years.
- Artist Availability – Underwood’s open schedule increases logistical feasibility.
- Venue Diversity – Levi’s Stadium’s openness to genre variety makes country a plausible choice.
- Fan Engagement – Her long-standing NFL connection via Sunday Night Football primes audiences for her presence.
The stars—quite literally—are aligning.
The Potential Impact
A Carrie Underwood halftime show wouldn’t just be a win for her career; it could spark a new era of country representation on the global stage. It would send a signal that the NFL values all corners of American music culture, and it might open the door for other country artists to follow.
In the same way that Shania Twain’s 2003 performance is still discussed two decades later, Underwood’s could become a touchstone moment for the genre—a reminder that country, when delivered with passion and spectacle, can hold its own against any other style.
Final Thoughts
When Shania Twain walked onto that Super Bowl stage in 2003, she brought more than just songs—she brought a statement. Now, more than 20 years later, Carrie Underwood stands poised to make a statement of her own.
Her voice, her presence, and her deep ties to football culture make her the rare artist who could unite the Super Bowl’s massive and diverse audience. And in a world where live music moments are increasingly rare and precious, the thought of Underwood belting out anthems to a roaring stadium feels like exactly the kind of magic the Super Bowl was made for.
If the NFL is serious about embracing every corner of America’s musical identity, then Levi’s Stadium in 2026 might just be the place where country music rides back into the halftime spotlight. And when it does, Carrie Underwood should be the one leading the charge.
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