Irish rock band U2 is set to perform at SoFi Stadium for the first time, headlining the halftime show for the NFL's inaugural Thanksgiving eve game. The Los Angeles Rams will host the Green Bay Packers on November 25, with the game streaming live on Netflix. This appearance marks U2's first performance during a Rams game in nearly 25 years.
The legendary group previously took the NFL halftime stage at Super Bowl XXXVI on February 3, 2002. That game, held at the Superdome in New Orleans, saw the New England Patriots defeat the then-St. Louis Rams 20-17. The upcoming performance will be U2’s debut at SoFi Stadium, a significant event for the band and Southern California residents.
Netflix, the streaming service broadcasting the game, has announced U2's halftime show will feature special guests. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos commented on the band’s selection, stating that U2 "deliver iconic moments audiences remember forever." He added that the platform is "thrilled" they will bring "that same magic to the NFL stage on Netflix," anticipating "an unforgettable night" for football fans and Netflix members worldwide. The streaming service has a history of featuring prominent artists during its NFL broadcasts, having hosted Beyoncé on Christmas Day in 2024 and Snoop Dogg on Christmas last year.
For the home team, the game comes after an 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, where the Rams' offense "sputtered" and the team "fell woefully short of its Super Bowl ambitions." The Thanksgiving eve matchup provides an opportunity for the team to regroup and perform in front of a significant audience.
U2, composed of singer Bono, lead guitarist the Edge, bass player Adam Clayton, and drummer Larry Mullen Jr., celebrated their 50th anniversary just last month. The band formed in 1976 while all four members were students at Mount Temple Comprehensive School. Over their five-decade career, U2 has achieved widespread recognition, winning 22 Grammy Awards. Their enduring impact on music was further acknowledged with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. The band is also preparing for the release of their 16th studio album, "Carnival de Luz," scheduled to drop on November 13, just days before their SoFi Stadium performance. Separately, the singer and guitarist have discussed reinventing their songbook with new takes on old classics for a project titled 'Songs of Surrender'.
