This year’s list of pregame performers is group which continues the NFL’s music shift to a more modern audience. The term “young” isn’t quite right, but these are far from the old-school legacy performers of the past — so let’s meet them.
The National Anthem, performed by Charlie Puth
Rising to fame in the last 15 years, Charlie Puth’s musical career began on YouTube, where he became one of the most popular singers on the platform. Known initially for his covers and song parodies, Puth began collaborating with major musicians after he was signed by Ellen DeGenere’s record label, after she heard his singing online.
In 2015 Puth had his mammoth mainstream breakthrough when he collaborated with Wiz Khalifa on See You Again for the Furious 7 soundtrack — which served as the memorial song after the death of actor Paul Walker. The song went No. 1 in over 30 countries and No. 3 on the year-end Billboard 100.
Puth has since release three studio albums, with a fourth set to be released in 2026.
American the Beautiful, performed by Brandi Carlile
A musical career spanning two decades, Brandi Carlile was a routine Grammy nominee in the Americana and American Roots genres, but hit the mainstream in 2019 when her song and album “The Joke” was nominated for both record of the year, and song of the year. Collaborating with musical acts ranging from Elton John, Soundgarden, and The Black Keys — all the way to Dolly Parton, Carlile is a musical chameleon who can functionally play anything, and everything.
Carlile’s stellar singing voice is accompanied by soulful guitar work reminiscent of classic rock and blues. If there’s one performance you don’t want to miss in the pregame, it’s this one.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, performed by Coco Jones
Originally rising to stardom on Disney Radio, musician/actor Coco Jones has forged a stellar R&B career where she’s become one of the hottest rising musicians in the genre. Perhaps best known for playing Hilary Banks on the hit show Bel-Air, Jones has pared down the number of acting roles she takes to focus on her music career.
Jones was nominated for her first Grammy in 2025 with “Here We Go (Uh Oh),” and her latest album “Why Not More?” has been nominated for album of the year in 2026.
