Backstreet Boys Want the 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Saying Britney Spears & 2000s Stars Will Join Them

Feb 26, 2026 by apost team

The Backstreet Boys may be known for their timeless pop hits, but the group is now aiming for one of the biggest stages in entertainment: the Super Bowl Halftime Show. While performing their residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere, the iconic boy band revealed that they are actively campaigning for a future halftime slot.

In a February 2026 interview with PEOPLE, member AJ McLean shared that he has already taken action to rally support. “I just started an online petition on behalf of the group for us to do halftime 2027,” McLean said. “You better vote yes for us to do halftime.”

The group believes their era of music is ripe for a nostalgic comeback, and they are already imagining a halftime performance filled with legendary pop names from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Nick Carter described the potential show as something much bigger than just a Backstreet Boys performance.

“It would be a pop explosion,” he said, before joking that they would bring back some of the most recognizable artists from their generation. “We're bringing back Britney Spears, we're bringing back *NSYNC,” Carter said. Although their dream lineup is only hypothetical, the idea has already sparked excitement among fans who grew up with the group’s music.

Even though the NFL typically announces halftime performers much closer to the game, the Backstreet Boys are making it clear that they are ready to deliver a spectacle — and they believe the Super Bowl audience is ready for a Y2K-style pop revival.

The idea of bringing Spears and *NSYNC together for a Super Bowl performance also carries a sense of full-circle history. Spears and *NSYNC famously performed at the Super Bowl XXXV Halftime Show in 2001, alongside Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly — a moment remembered as one of the first major modern pop halftime productions. At the time, the Backstreet Boys chose not to take part in the halftime show. Instead, they performed the national anthem, a decision that has become a notable “what-if” moment in pop culture history.

Now, the band is imagining a halftime show that brings that entire era back together. Carter even joked that the group would recruit more pop peers regardless of who had performed before. He said, “We’re bringing back 98 Degrees, I don't care. We're headlining,” and continued:

“We're bringing all of our pop friends back.”

The group also emphasized that their success is tied to how strongly their music resonates with fans who associate it with feel-good memories. Carter added:

“We're biased because we really think that our era of music, coming from the late '90s, early 2000s, is probably some of the most nostalgic for people and makes people feel good.” 

If the band were to land the halftime slot, they would have already imagined the visuals. Howie Dorough said he would want to add a dramatic element to the performance: “some kind of flying in the stadium.” With their Sphere residency showcasing major production creativity, the Backstreet Boys are signaling that they’re ready for a halftime return — and they want it to be unforgettable.

apost.com

Pop nostalgia is clearly having a major moment again. Would you want the Backstreet Boys to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show? Pass this on to family and friends who still know every word to “I Want It That Way.”