2026 CFP Championship Game Performers: Pre-Game, National Anthem and Halftime Show

The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship brings serious star power to Miami! Hard Rock Stadium hosts the title game on January 19, 2026. Here’s your complete guide to every performance on championship game day.

2026 CFP Championship Performers at a Glance:

Event	Performer(s)	Time	Location
Pre-Game Tailgate	Pitbull (headliner)	11 AM – 6 PM ET	Outside Hard Rock Stadium
Pre-Game Tailgate	Kat Luna	11 AM – 6 PM ET	Outside Hard Rock Stadium
National Anthem	TBA (announced early January)	~7:25 PM ET	Hard Rock Stadium
Halftime Show	Both Teams’ Marching Bands	Halftime	Hard Rock Stadium

Pitbull Headlines Championship Tailgate

Miami’s own Pitbull takes the stage at the Capital One Music Stage for the Allstate Championship Tailgate on Monday, January 19, 2026. Mr. 305 brings his high-energy show home for the ultimate pre-game party.

The tailgate runs from 11 AM to 6 PM ET right outside Hard Rock Stadium. Fans get free entry with interactive games and food vendors. Both teams’ marching bands perform throughout the day too.

Pitbull made history with Florida International University by getting their football venue renamed Pitbull Stadium. FIU became the first college football stadium named after a musical artist.

The Grammy winner cranked out massive hits like “Timber” and “Time of Our Lives.” He pulls in more than 57 million monthly listeners on Spotify with over 1 billion streams.

His SLAM Foundation teamed up with the College Football Playoff Foundation to support Miami teachers through grants and school makeovers. The partnership gives real help to local educators and students.

Kat Luna Joins the Pre-Game Lineup

Latina country rising star Kat Luna also hits the championship tailgate stage. The Cuban American singer played the Grand Ole Opry last year and landed on Rolling Stone’s “25 Spanish-Language Artists We’re Rooting For in 2025.”

Luna mixes her Cuban roots with country music storytelling. Her new EP “That Girl” shows off her vocal chops and raw emotion. She joined the CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2025.

Pitbull and Kat Luna bring both superstar power and fresh talent to the pre-game party. Both artists rep Miami’s diverse cultural scene hard.

Who will sing the National Anthem?

The CFP usually drops the national anthem singer announcement about 1-2 weeks before the championship game. Check back in early January for the official word.

Past CFP Championships brought out major artists like Coco Jones (2025), Fantasia (2024), The Pentatonix (2022), and Lauren Daigle (2023). The 2026 game should follow suit with a Grammy winner or chart-topper.

The national anthem goes down right before kickoff at 7:30 PM ET. The singer gets introduced around 7:25 PM after “America the Beautiful” and other pre-game stuff.

Recent years leaned toward R&B and gospel artists who can belt out powerful versions. Expect someone with serious vocal talent and national fame.

What About “America the Beautiful”?

The CFP hasn’t said who performs “America the Beautiful” yet. Past championships tapped college choirs and local performers for this pre-anthem moment.

The Spelman College Glee Club sang “America the Beautiful” at the 2025 championship game in Atlanta. The CFP might pick a Miami-area choir or musical group for 2026 to rep the host city.

This performance usually happens about 5-10 minutes before the national anthem around 7:20 PM ET.

Also Check: Where to watch the National Championship 2026 Game Online?

Halftime Show: Marching Bands Take Center Stage

The championship game halftime show puts both teams’ marching bands in the spotlight. The CFP sticks with this tradition to give college bands the national stage during the title game.

The bands go all out with fight songs and signature formations. Each band gets about 6-7 minutes to show their stuff in front of 65,000+ fans at Hard Rock Stadium and millions watching on ESPN.

Fans dig this format because it keeps the focus on students rather than outside celebrity acts. The energy from both fan bases makes halftime electric.

The CFP threw in special halftime performers a few times but it’s rare. Kendrick Lamar did his thing in 2018. Most championship games just go with the marching bands for halftime. No extra halftime acts announced for 2026 yet.

Championship Tailgate Details

The Allstate Championship Tailgate costs nothing and welcomes all fans. You don’t need a game ticket to hit up the tailgate party outside Hard Rock Stadium.

The event rolls from 11 AM to 6 PM ET on Monday, January 19. That’s seven solid hours of entertainment before the 7:30 PM kickoff.

You can snag exclusive Pitbull x CFP merch at the tailgate. This limited run features original designs inspired by Pitbull’s take on college football and South Florida. The gear drops online too at shop.collegefootballplayoff.com.

Show up early to get close to the stage for Pitbull’s set. The hometown hero performing in Miami will pack the place.

Why Miami Works Perfect

Hard Rock Stadium hosted the 2021 CFP Championship when Alabama crushed Ohio State 52-24. Miami Gardens becomes just the second city to host the championship game twice after Atlanta.

The city’s music scene and cultural mix make it perfect for championship week. Pitbull’s involvement gives the event authentic Miami flavor.

Miami’s weather sets up perfect conditions for outdoor tailgates and pre-game parties. You’re looking at mid-70s temps in January.

2026 CFP Championship Entertainment FAQ