While global superstar Bad Bunny headlined the official Super Bowl LX halftime show, another major moment unfolded earlier in the night that quickly became a talking point among viewers.
Legendary punk rock band Green Day kicked off the Super Bowl festivities in Santa Clara, and their brief appearance sparked an immediate wave of reactions across social media.
Green Day Opens Super Bowl LX With Iconic Set
The longtime trio—Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool—delivered a short but energetic performance featuring several well-known tracks from their influential album American Idiot. The setlist included “Holiday,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” and the album’s title track.
The performance served as an opening act ahead of the main halftime show, but it didn’t take long for viewers to begin dissecting its meaning and impact.
Pre-Super Bowl Comments Raised Expectations
Green Day had already been in the headlines earlier in the week following a pre–Super Bowl concert in San Francisco on February 6, where Armstrong made pointed remarks about immigration enforcement. Those comments fueled speculation that the band might use their Super Bowl appearance to make another statement.
As a result, many fans tuned in closely to see whether the group would repeat or expand on those themes during one of the most-watched television broadcasts of the year.
Broadcast Edit Draws Attention
During the live NFL broadcast, Green Day noticeably skipped a well-known lyric from “American Idiot” that has historically been altered or updated during live performances. The line was omitted entirely, with the network choosing not to air it as part of its family-friendly programming standards.
Despite the edit, the decision to perform American Idiot at all was enough to spark widespread discussion.
Social Media Reactions Pour In
Almost immediately, viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms to share their opinions.
Some criticized the NFL for allowing what they viewed as a political message during a major sporting event, while others defended the band’s long-standing artistic identity.
One user questioned whether Green Day would face the same scrutiny as other performers, while another predicted that the evening’s halftime show would continue to generate debate.
Even without overt commentary during the performance, many fans felt the song choice alone carried meaning.
Fans Express Surprise—and Support
Green Day’s political history is well documented, with the band having criticized multiple U.S. administrations over the years. Still, some viewers admitted they were surprised to hear American Idiot echoing through Levi’s Stadium during the Super Bowl.
Reactions ranged from shock to celebration, with fans posting memes, photos, and enthusiastic messages praising the moment. Several highlighted the significance of hearing such a song during a nationally televised NFL event.
The NFL itself helped amplify the buzz by sharing official clips of the performance across its social media channels, captioning the videos with upbeat reactions that further fueled engagement.
No Paycheck, Massive Exposure
As is standard for Super Bowl performers, Green Day was not paid for the appearance. Instead, the band benefited from the massive global exposure that comes with performing during one of the most-watched live events in the world.
Other performers throughout the night included Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, Coco Jones, and halftime headliner Bad Bunny. On the field, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots by a score of 29–13, capping off an eventful Super Bowl LX.