The NFL confirmed on Tuesday the officiating crew that will be in charge of Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, in an announcement that began to set the tone for the most anticipated event of the season. The league announced both the head referee and the on-field officials, a designation that always generates attention due to its potential influence on the game. The chosen head referee is Shawn Smith, who will be officiating his first Super Bowl. Joining him will be Roy Ellison, as a referee, and Eugene Hall, as a linesman, both more experienced in this role, as they will be participating for the third time on a team designated for the championship game. Also part of the crew are Julian Mapp, linesman; Jason Ledet, field judge; and Andrew Lambert, replay supervisor, all of whom will be making their first appearance at the NFL's biggest event. The combination of experience and new faces was one of the highlights of the selection announced by the league. A low-impact penalty profile: According to data from Pro Football Reference, the most recent playoff game Smith officiated was the New England Patriots' 28-16 victory over the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round. That game saw seven combined penalties for 80 yards, a moderate number compared to other postseason games. In five of the last six years, Smith has called fewer penalties than the league average. Between 2023 and 2025, his average was around 12 flags per game, a record often interpreted as a tendency to allow more fluidity in the game. For many fans, this data represents a positive sign, as it reinforces the expectation that Super Bowl LX will be decided primarily by team performance and not by decisive refereeing decisions. Cameron Filipe of Football Zebras also highlighted how quickly Smith managed to position himself among the league's trusted officials. He recalled being part of the officiating crew that led the NFC Championship game in January 2018, when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings, his first year working at that level. He has officiated 10 playoff games in his career.

The Show Surrounding the Game

Beyond the officiating, the NFL also recently confirmed several details of the show that will accompany Super Bowl LX. The event will open with a performance by Green Day,who will perform at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, just over an hour from their hometown of Rodeo. The choice comes amid public questioning of the previous selection of Bad Bunny as the headliner for the halftime show.

The show, produced by the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation, will be broadcast on February 8, 2026, on NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock. The day will also include a performance of the US national anthem by Charlie Puth, along with “America the Beautiful” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” performed by Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones, respectively.