Taylor Swift denies turning down Super Bowl half-time show

It's a performance millions of Taylor Swift fans hoped they could look forward to in 2026.

But the US superstar has denied rejecting an offer to play the Super Bowl half-time show in California in February.

There was speculation she had turned down the prestigious slot during American football's showcase event in a dispute over ownership of the performance footage.

Asked by The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon on NBC whether it was true, she replied "no" before detailing what stage conversations had reached.

Taylor said rapper Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation produces the half-time show, "has always been very good to me".

"Our teams are really close," she said. "They sometimes will call and say 'how does she feel about the Super Bowl?'

"That's not an official offer or a conference room conversation.

"It's just 'how does she feel about it in general?'"

Fans had speculated that Taylor would perform at the event after the release of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl.

But, in September, Puerto Rican pop star Bad Bunny was confirmed as Super Bowl LX's act.

Taylor has become closely linked to American Football and is often seen supporting her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce, from the stands.

He has played in the blockbuster match-up three times, with his team's most recent win in 2024.

Taylor has never played the Super Bowl half-time show, but A-list names including Kendrick Lamar, Usher and Rihanna have done so in recent years.

But The Fate of Ophelia singer says she can't imagine planning a performance at a game her fiance is simultaneously trying to win.

"We're always able to tell him (Jay Z) the truth which is that I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field," she told Jimmy Fallon.

"The whole season, I am locked in on what that man is doing on the field."

"Can you imagine if he's out there, every single week, doing this very dangerous, very high-pressure, high-intensity sport and I'm like: 'I wonder what my choreography should be?'"

"This is nothing to do with Travis. He would love for me to do it.

"I am just too locked in."

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