Who is singing the National Anthem at the 2026 Super Bowl? All about Charlie Puth
The stage is set for one of the most watched musical moments in sports. Charlie Puth has been confirmed as the national anthem performer for Super Bowl LX, taking place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, ahead of the NFL championship clash between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
For Puth, the assignment carries both prestige and pressure. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter has described The Star-Spangled Banner as “one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written” — and also “the hardest to sing.”
With more than 120 million viewers expected worldwide, Puth’s performance will serve as the ceremonial opening to the biggest event in American sports.
Why the National Anthem is so challenging
In a social media video shared ahead of the Super Bowl, Puth broke down why the anthem is such a technical challenge for vocalists. Unlike most pop songs, which typically span one octave, the anthem demands a far wider vocal range.
According to Puth, the melody stretches from a low D to a high A, requiring sustained control, pitch accuracy, and power, all under intense public scrutiny.
That difficulty is exactly what attracted him to the performance.
“I just want to show people that I can do it,” Puth said in a recent interview. “It’s the hardest piece of music ever written.”
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Who is Charlie Puth?
Charlie Puth was born in Rumson, New Jersey, and discovered his musical abilities early in life. His mother was a music teacher, and by childhood, Puth had already developed perfect pitch, a rare ability to identify or recreate musical notes without reference.
He first gained national attention in 2011 after posting cover videos on YouTube, including a version of Adele’s Someone Like You that caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres. His breakthrough album, Nine Track Mind, was released in 2016 and launched a career built on both commercial success and technical musicianship.
Puth is best known for global hits including See You Again, We Don’t Talk Anymore, Attention, Marvin Gaye. Beyond his solo work, he has also written and produced chart-topping songs for artists such as Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Pitbull, Liam Payne, Trey Songz, and The Kid LAROI.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Puth expanded his fanbase through TikTok, where he broke down songwriting techniques and music theory under the nickname “Professor Puth.”
How Super Bowl Anthem Performers are chosen
The NFL selects its Super Bowl anthem performers in collaboration with Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by Jay-Z. The partnership began in 2019 and oversees all major Super Bowl entertainment, including the halftime show and pre-game performances.
Puth revealed that he actively pursued the role, sending a recorded demo to Roc Nation executives. According to him, the audition eventually reached Jay-Z and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, leading to his selection.
A Legacy of Iconic Performances
Puth joins a distinguished group of artists who have performed the national anthem on the Super Bowl stage.
Recent performers include:
- Jon Batiste (2025)
- Reba McEntire (2024)
- Chris Stapleton (2023)
Past icons include Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Billy Joel, and Luther Vandross. Puth will become the second New Jersey native to sing the anthem at the Super Bowl, following Whitney Houston’s legendary 1991 performance — a rendition still widely considered the gold standard.
“I’ll be inspired by what Whitney did,” Puth said. “But I can never touch that. I just want to do my own thing.”
Will Charlie Puth sing Live?
Yes — mostly.
Puth confirmed that his vocals will be live, while portions of the orchestral backing will be pre-recorded. This is standard practice at the Super Bowl due to the difficulty of balancing sound in a stadium filled with tens of thousands of fans.
“The mic will be on,” Puth said. “I’ll be singing.”
How long will the anthem last?
Super Bowl anthem performances typically last between one and two minutes.
- Longest recorded: Alicia Keys (2013) — 2:36
- Shortest recorded: Neil Diamond (1987) — 1:02
While Puth has not disclosed his planned tempo, expectations are that his version will fall within the traditional range.
Who’s performing at Super Bowl LX?
Beyond the national anthem, Super Bowl LX features a stacked entertainment lineup.
- Halftime Show: Bad Bunny
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- Opening Ceremony Performers: Green Day, Brandi Carlile, Coco Jones, and Charlie Puth
- Super Bowl Tailgate: Teddy Swims, with LaRussell opening
Bad Bunny’s halftime appearance marks his first time headlining the Super Bowl stage, after previously appearing as a guest performer in 2020.
Singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl is not just a performance, it’s a cultural test. For Charlie Puth, it represents a rare opportunity to merge technical mastery with emotional restraint, while honoring a song that carries immense national symbolism.
Whether understated or soaring, his rendition will be judged instantly — and remembered for years.
SportsLigue