There’s a reason why Google searches for “Cowboys vs. Chiefs” are averaging 51,000 in October, up 31 percent in the last week alone, and that’s because fans really want to know who is performing at the famed game’s halftime show.
Lainey Wilson wowed fans during last year’s halftime show at AT&T Stadium. But neither the NFL nor the Cowboys has announced who is getting this year’s honor.
Past performers include Reba McEntire (1997), Jessica Simpson (2000), Creed (2001), Selena Gomez (2013), and Luke Combs (2021), among others.
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Now, the experts at TicketSource have pored over 25 years of halftime data, analyzing performer trends, from genre and promotional cycles to regional ties and audience appeal, to predict who will get the nod at next month’s Thanksgiving Day game honors.
Key Patterns
When it comes to genre, 7 in 10 performers were country or country-pop artists, and pop acts typically appear every 2 to 3 years.
Also, most performers had a major tour or album within six months of Thanksgiving Day. The acts have also been family-friendly, offering a broad appeal.
The Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day halftime show performers also tend to favor those with a Texas or Southern background.
Here Are The Top 5 Predictions
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Morgan Wallen: He comes in as the top contender.
“With seven of his last 10 acts rooted in country or country-pop, Wallen bridges the gap between traditional and mainstream, much like Lainey Wilson last year. His massive 2025 tour and teased new releases give him the momentum and visibility ideal for the show, mirroring past stars like Luke Combs and Lainey Wilson, who brought youthful energy and chart-topping hits to the stage,” TicketSource experts explain.
Justin Timberlake: He has a lengthy relationship with the NFL and he has a broad, family-friendly appeal.
“His ongoing 2024-25 tour and recent album, Everything I Thought It Was, align perfectly with the show’s pattern of spotlighting pop stars during active promotion cycles.”
Post Malone: He’s a Texas native and a Cowboys fanatic.
“His genre-blending mix of country, pop, rock, and hip-hop gives him broad audience appeal, while his recent No. 1 country hit, ‘I Had Some Help,’ cements his crossover status. With a busy touring schedule and strong local roots, Post mirrors the ‘local hero’ energy of past performers like Selena Gomez and the Jonas Brothers.”
Luke Bryan: A crowd-favorite and past performer.
“Still selling out arenas and maintaining a Las Vegas residency, Bryan remains one of the country’s most recognizable and family-friendly names. After recent halftime acts skewered toward newer stars like Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton, his comeback would balance nostalgia with consistent mainstream appeal, a proven formula for Thanksgiving.”
Olivia Rodrigo: She’s considered to be fresh energy for this kind of event.
“Currently touring her GUTS album through 2025, she’s at the height of her popularity and perfectly timed for a promotional spotlight. Like Ellie Goulding (2019) and Selena Gomez (2013), Rodrigo’s dynamic, youth-driven sound and cross-generational appeal would provide a vibrant contrast to the recent country-heavy lineup.”
