The NFL has announced that Kentucky rock band Cage the Elephant will headline the halftime show at the 2026 NFL Munich Game, giving the Grammy-winning group a major international stage at FC Bayern Munich Arena on Nov. 15.
Cage the Elephant will perform during the game between the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions, which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET. The performance will take place in Munich, Germany, as part of the NFL’s largest international schedule to date.
The league made the announcement on Instagram, writing: “Cage the Elephant will take the stage at the 2026 NFL Munich Game halftime show at the FC Bayern Munich Arena!”
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
The NFL’s announcement quickly drew reactions from fans and people who have worked with the band.
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One commenter referenced the band’s connection to the Borderlands video game, writing, “Oh my borderlands babies 🥲”
Another shared a personal connection to the band’s live performances, saying, “so exciting, congratulations 🎊 Loved working your show in Detroit”
Some fans also believed Cage the Elephant deserved an even bigger NFL stage.
“Should’ve been for the Super Bowl halftime show next year 🫠,” one comment said.
The decision to feature a rock band also received praise, with one fan writing, “Bringing back bands to do the show. America is healing.”
Other reactions were short but enthusiastic. One person simply wrote, “Oh hell yeah.”
Another praised the band’s place in modern rock, saying, “Cage is one of the most profilic rock bands of our generation.”
The band is set to become part of a record seven halftime shows presented by American Express during the NFL’s 2026 International Games. The performances will span seven countries across four continents as the league expands its international reach.
Cage the Elephant was formed in 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The band later moved to England and settled in London before releasing its self-titled debut album in 2008.
The group has built its career around rock music while drawing from alternative rock, classic rock, punk, blues and funk. Its catalog includes albums such as Thank You, Happy Birthday, Melophobia, Tell Me I’m Pretty, Social Cues and Neon Pill, released in 2024.
The band’s success has also reached the Grammy Awards. Cage the Elephant won Best Rock Album for Tell Me I’m Pretty in 2017 and again for Social Cues in 2020.
The band has also become a strong presence on alternative radio. According to the NFL, Cage the Elephant has earned 13 No. 1 records on Alternative radio.
Frontman Matt Shultz said the upcoming halftime performance will be different from a normal concert because of the size of the audience.
“We have played a lot of shows in Germany over the years and the crowds here have always given us everything they have,” Shultz said in a statement. “Playing a halftime show is a completely different animal — you get one shot in front of a stadium and a global audience, and you have to make every second count. We are going to bring the same energy we bring to our own shows and we cannot wait.”
The NFL also pointed to Munich’s reputation for creating a strong atmosphere during international games.
“Munich has given us some of the most memorable atmospheres of any international game we have staged, and we wanted a halftime act that could meet a crowd like that head on,” said Tim Tubito, senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment at the NFL.
The 2026 NFL Munich Game will be the third regular-season NFL game held in Munich. The city previously hosted games in 2022 and 2024. Munich is also scheduled to host another NFL game in 2028 under a multi-year agreement.
The NFL has already announced several other artists for its 2026 international games. The Jonas Brothers are scheduled to perform at the Melbourne Game, Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin will appear at the Rio Game, Ayra Starr will headline the London Game and The Warning will perform at the Mexico City Game.
The league’s 2026 international schedule includes games in London, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Paris and Rio de Janeiro.
The Munich announcement comes at an active point for Cage the Elephant. The group released “Beaches in Tennessee” in July, marking its first new music in two years.
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The band is working on the follow-up to Neon Pill and has also announced its Dying In Reverse tour across the U.K. and Europe for 2027.
The 2027 tour is scheduled to begin in Berlin on Feb. 8 and includes stops in Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom. The tour will end at London’s Alexandra Palace on March 1.
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