Many Texans believe the King of Country deserves to play on every big stage around the world — and with 16 Grammy Award nominations — it’s no surprise as to why. Yet, George Strait isn’t gearing up to play on the nation’s biggest football field just yet … at least for the time being.A rumor circulated on social media this week that the beloved artist was headlining his first Super Bowl for the National Football League (NFL) this coming February, set to occur in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers.
Introduction
The event, entrenched as one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, takes place on Sunday, February 8, and has hosted big-name performers like Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Michael Jackson, to name a few. So when a phony radio station claimed the “Write This Down” singer would be the next to brace himself for the roughly 4,200-foot stage, fans far and wide were understandably psyched.
“Breaking news,” a Facebook account misleadingly named “Country Spirit Radio” said in a post. “George Strait has been announced as this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer, sending fans into a frenzy of joy.”
In the comments, folks did just that. The post gathered nearly 3,000 comments and over 1,400 re-shares.
Maybe. But probably not. On Country Spirit Radio’s profile page, the poster labels itself as a “musician or band,” and describes its location as Poteet, Houston, and the general Texas area — a telltale sign of a user not being affiliated with a legitimate company. An overview of the account’s posts shows it presents as more of a Strait fan page, filled with a few real and mostly AI-generated photos of Strait with other celebrities and alleged characters that he has “helped” recover from injury, illness, or another difficult circumstance.
The Facebook profile also includes a phone number, which, when called, directs a user to Barry Law Group, an Austin-based company. It includes a link to an Instagram account that is not “Country Spirit Radio,” but, you guessed it, George Strait’s official account.
In the user’s post, they claim that “fans have been waiting for the day Strait would ‘bring his legendary country hits to millions of viewers around the world at one of the most highly anticipated shows on the planet.” They also include a link to what is supposed to look like a news article, but it includes distorted text and false quotes that they claim were made on X by Oklahoma superstar Garth Brooks.
Is George Strait playing the Super Bowl?
The selected entertainer for the 2026 Super Bowl has not been announced as of Wednesday, September 10. Anticipation continues to build as fans and music critics pitch their best guesses at who could steal the spotlight: Will it be pop phenomenon Taylor Swift? Is K-pop powerhouse BTS spoiling us with both a world tour and a half-time show? Or, could it really be the classic country star?
In 2025, the NFL announced Lamar as the Apple Music Halftime Show on September 8, which means, this time last year, our curiosities had already been satisfied.
Could Taylor Swift perform at the Super Bowl?
After acquiring a record $2 billion in ticket sales from her Eras Tour, Swift is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after performers of our modern times. Whether it’s for a football game or a concert, the 35-year-old songwriter packs stands.
In conversation with the Today show, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell commented on Swift’s talent, along with the possibility of her headlining the upcoming event.
“We would always love to have Taylor play. She is a special, special talent, and obviously she would be welcome at any time,” Goodell told Today show host Savannah Guthrie.
“Is it in the works?” Guthrie asked.
“I can’t tell you anything about it,” Goodell responded, adding, painfully mysteriously, that “it’s a maybe.”
Although it may not be “California By Morning” for Strait, the chosen performer is sure to be someone with a significant impact on cultural trends and the current music scene. And, if history repeats itself, their name could be released as soon as this month.