Backstreet Boys Eyeing 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show

The iconic boy band teases possibility of headlining the coveted performance in Los Angeles.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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During their Las Vegas residency, Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean floated the idea of the group headlining the 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show, which is set to take place in Los Angeles. The band recently appeared in two Super Bowl commercials, fueling speculation they may be positioning themselves for a bigger stage. The group previously turned down the halftime show in 2001, opting instead to perform the national anthem.

Why it matters

The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most watched and coveted musical performances in the world, making it a major career milestone for any artist. Backstreet Boys' potential involvement would tap into late-'90s nostalgia and could even feature a collaboration with fellow boy band *NSYNC, further driving fan excitement.

The details

During their Into The Millennium residency at the Las Vegas Sphere on February 11, AJ McLean asked the crowd, 'What do you guys think? Backstreet Boys: 2027 Super Bowl Halftime? Let's make it happen! I mean, why not? It's in Los Angeles, it's right down the street.' The iconic boy band recently appeared in two Super Bowl commercials in 2026, featuring their hit songs 'I Want It That Way' and 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)'. In a 2021 interview, Nick Carter revealed that the group had previously turned down the opportunity to headline the 2001 Super Bowl Halftime Show, opting instead to perform the national anthem.

  • The 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show is set to take place in Los Angeles.
  • Backstreet Boys recently appeared in two Super Bowl commercials in 2026.

The players

Backstreet Boys

An iconic American boy band consisting of AJ McLean, Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, and Brian Littrell.

AJ McLean

A member of the Backstreet Boys who floated the idea of the group headlining the 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show during their Las Vegas residency.

Nick Carter

A member of the Backstreet Boys who revealed in a 2021 interview that the group had previously turned down the opportunity to headline the 2001 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

*NSYNC

Another iconic American boy band that could potentially join Backstreet Boys for a late-'90s nostalgia moment during the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

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What they’re saying

“What do you guys think? Backstreet Boys: 2027 Super Bowl Halftime? Let's make it happen! I mean, why not? It's in Los Angeles, it's right down the street.”

— AJ McLean, Backstreet Boys Member (Fan-captured video)

“At the time, we loved the Whitney Houston rendition of the national anthem. And for us, we got the choice and we passed on the halftime.”

— Nick Carter, Backstreet Boys Member (2021 interview)

What’s next

The Backstreet Boys will need to formally pitch their idea to the NFL and Super Bowl organizers, who will ultimately decide on the 2027 Halftime Show performer.

The takeaway

Backstreet Boys' potential return to the Super Bowl stage, over 25 years after turning down the opportunity, would be a major cultural moment tapping into late-'90s nostalgia and showcasing the enduring popularity of one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.