Every year, the pre-game performance of the U.S. national anthem at the Super Bowl carries more weight than just a tune—it sets the tone for one of the world’s biggest sporting events. As fans, broadcasters, and advertisers prepare for kickoff, one of the quieter but fascinating details is how long that anthem lasts. In 2025, the anthem’s timing has become a talking point in its own right.
Here’s a deep-dive into the anthem timing at Super Bowl LIX: who performed it, when it happened, how long it lasted, why timing matters, and what it tells us for future games.
1. Who Performed the Anthem and When It Occurred
For Super Bowl LIX, held on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, the anthem was performed by renowned musician Jon Batiste. He delivered the anthem in a distinctive style before kickoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. CBS News+2Covers.com+2
- Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
- Date: February 9, 2025
- Performer: Jon Batiste
With the performers set and the countdown to kickoff underway, the anthem timing became part of the pre-game ritual.
2. The Official Time: How Long Did the Anthem Last?
When the notes faded and the game began, the measured time of Batiste’s rendition was reported at approximately 120 seconds (2 minutes). New York Post+2sports.yahoo.com+2 Some sources suggest it was 125 seconds, depending on when the timer began and ended. Covers.com
In short:
- Approximate time: ~120 seconds (2 minutes)
- Variations: Some sources cited ~125 seconds
This puts the 2025 anthem right around the 2-minute mark—longer than many past performances, shorter than a few outliers.
3. Why the Timing Matters
You may wonder—why is the timing of a ~2-minute song so noteworthy? Here are several reasons:
a) Broadcast & Production Timing
Every second counts when the game broadcast must transition seamlessly from anthem → coin toss → kickoff. Having a predictable anthem length helps producers schedule commercials, pre-game features, and the live feed without awkward gaps or rushed transitions.
b) Prop Betting Markets
In recent years, the length of the Super Bowl anthem has become a novelty betting market. Bettors wager on whether the anthem will go over or under a set time (e.g., 120.5 seconds). For Super Bowl LIX, the over/under was 120.5 seconds. In the end, the rendition came in at or just under that threshold, meaning Under bets won. SI+1
c) Historical & Cultural Context
Beyond logistics and betting, the anthem’s duration reflects performance style. Some artists choose a more expansive arrangement, while others keep it brisk. Over time, viewing the timing can serve as a small lens into how the anthem at the Super Bowl evolves—genre, tempo, arrangement, and live conditions all play a role.
4. How the 2025 Performance Compares Historically
Putting the 2025 time into context helps appreciate how unique or typical it was:
- The average anthem length at recent Super Bowls hovers around the 115-120 second mark. Covers.com
- Some notable past performances:
- In 2013, Alicia Keys delivered a rendition lasting ~2 minutes, 36 seconds – one of the longest. New York Post+1
- Shorter performances have clocked in near 1:30 or less in earlier years.
- With ~120 seconds in 2025, Batiste’s performance falls into the “around 2-minutes” range—not a record-breaker for length, but certainly not among the shortest.
So while it wasn’t extraordinary in length, it was solidly within expectations for a modern Super Bowl.
5. What Time Did It Happen in the Broadcast Flow?
Since the anthem precedes kickoff, it naturally takes place just before the official game start. For Super Bowl LIX:
- Kickoff was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. Decider
- With pre-game build-up (introductions, flyovers, anthem), the anthem likely began a few minutes before kickoff—roughly around 6:25-6:27 p.m. ET.
- After the anthem, the coin toss and final preparations occur, then the game begins.
So if you were watching, tune in a little early to catch the national anthem just before kickoff: around ~6:25 p.m. ET (which would convert to your local time accordingly).
6. What This Means for Viewers & Fans
If you’re planning to watch, either live in-stadium or via broadcast, here are a few practical take-aways:
- Don’t miss it: The anthem is right before kickoff, so arriving a few minutes early ensures you catch the full performance.
- Expect about 2 minutes: While variations happen, you can safely plan for something near the 2-minute mark.
- Broadcast cues: If you’re watching internationally (like Pakistan), be aware of your local time zone difference and tune accordingly.
- Enjoy the spectacle: For many viewers, the anthem performance is a special moment—live music, stadium atmosphere, often local or iconic artists.
7. Final Thoughts
In the grand spectacle of the Super Bowl, the national anthem may be a small piece of the event—but it holds tradition, emotion, broadcast precision and even betting intrigue. In 2025, with Jon Batiste delivering a ~2-minute rendition, the moment did what it needed to: unify, energize, transition.
