As searches for “Super Bowl performance 2025” skyrocketed by 250% in anticipation of Sunday’s big event headlined by rapper Kendrick Lamar, the experts at Live Football Tickets delved into YouTube data to reveal the most-watched Super Bowl halftime shows of all time.
Key findings:
- Dr Dre’s 2022 halftime show, featuring an all-star line-up, is the most iconic, racking up 324 million views.
- Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s electrifying 2020 performance follows in second, capturing 320 million views.
- Rihanna’s 2023 halftime show, marked by her unexpected pregnancy reveal, amassed an impressive 257 million views.
- The infamous 2004 “Nipplegate” incident between Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake continues to be one of the most talked about moments in Super Bowl history.
Top 15 most iconic Super Bowl halftime shows YOU need to rewatch this season
| Rank | Super Bowl halftime show | Year | Iconic songs performed | YouTube views |
| 1 | Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar | 2022 | The Next Episode, Still D.R.E., Lose Yourself | 324,000,000 |
| 2 | Shakira and Jennifer Lopez | 2020 | Hips Don’t Lie, Jenny From the Block, Waiting for Tonight | 320,000,000 |
| 3 | Rihanna | 2023 | Umbrella, Diamonds, We Found Love | 257,000,000 |
| 4 | Coldplay, Beyoncé and Bruno Mars | 2016 | Uptown Funk, Formation, Viva La Vida | 140,000,000 |
| 5 | Lady Gaga | 2017 | Poker Face, Born This Way, Bad Romance | 106,000,000 |
| 6 | Katy Perry | 2016 | Roar, Firework, Teenage Dream | 101,000,000 |
| 7 | The Weeknd | 2021 | Blinding Lights, Can’t Feel My Face, Save Your Tears | 67,000,000 |
| 8 | Madonna | 2012 | Vogue, Like a Prayer, Holiday | 50,000,000 |
| 9 | Justin Timberlake | 2018 | Can’t Stop the Feeling!, Rock Your Body, Mirrors | 36,000,000 |
| 10 | Usher | 2024 | Caught Up, Bad Girl, Yeah! | 31,000,000 |
| 11 | Maroon 5 | 2019 | Sugar, Girls Like You, Moves Like Jagger | 22,000,000 |
| 12 | Beyonce | 2013 | Crazy In Love, Single Ladies, Halo | 21,000,000 |
| 13 | Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2014 | Just The Way You Are, Give It Away, Locked Out of Heaven | 8,500,000 |
| 14 | Prince | 2007 | Purple Rain, Let’s Go Crazy, Baby I’m a Star | 7,100,000 |
| 15 | Aerosmith, Britney Spears, ‘NSync, Nelly & Mary J. Blige | 2001 | Walk This Way, Baby One More Time, Bye Bye Bye | 5,200,000 |
Racking up a whopping 324 million YouTube views, Dr Dre’s 2022 Super Bowl halftime show remains the most iconic to date. The star-studded lineup, featuring hip-hop titans like Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige. who electrified the stage with iconic hits like “The Next Episode,” “Still D.R.E.” and “Lose Yourself”.
And who could forget Dr. Dre taking a seat at the piano, playing a few notes of 2Pac’s “I Ain’t Mad at Cha,” sending fans into a frenzy?
When Shakira and Jennifer Lopez took the Super Bowl stage in 2020, they made it clear they were bringing their A-game, with their performance amassing an eye-watering 320 million YouTube views to date. The two powerhouse performers delivered a fiery and energetic show, with unforgettable performances of “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Jenny From the Block,” and “Waiting for Tonight.”
Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl halftime was nothing short of spectacular, earning its place as the third most iconic performance in history. From her unplanned pregnancy reveal to powerhouse renditions of “Umbrella,” “Diamonds,” and “We Found Love,” fans were mesmerized from the moment she descended onto the floating stage in a striking all-red ensemble. The visually stunning performance, complete with an army of synchronized dancers and dazzling pyrotechnics has since accumulated a staggering 257 million YouTube views.
Coldplay’s 2016 performance takes fourth place, thanks to surprise appearances from Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. Lead singer Chris Martin kicked off the show with the anthem “Viva La Vida,” before Beyoncé electrified the crowd with “Formation” and Bruno Mars brought the heat with “Uptown Funk.” The dynamic trio delivered a performance that seamlessly blended rock, pop, and R&B, garnering a jaw-dropping 140 million views and counting on YouTube.
Known for her over-the-top performances, Lady Gaga upped the ante during the 2017 Super Bowl halftime with an electric set that included hits like “Poker Face,” “Born This Way,” and “Bad Romance.” Her fearless stage presence, acrobatics, and powerful vocals captivated audiences from start to finish, achieving 106 million views on YouTube.
Ranking 17th with a notable 2.7 million YouTube views, the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake remains infamous for its ‘wardrobe malfunction’. Timberlake accidentally exposed Jackson’s breast during the performance, sparking nationwide outrage. The controversy led to a temporary ban on Jackson’s music from certain networks, and FCC fines for CBS.
While Jackson’s career faced setbacks in her career, Timberlake’s continued largely unscathed, fuelling online backlash over the contrasting outcomes.
