Great start to Super Bowl V.
Green Day performed at the opening ceremony celebrating generations of Super Bowl MVPs, including Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, and Peyton and Eli Manning.
The group, consisting of Mike Dirnt, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Tre Coo, returned to their home state and took to the stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clarita, Calif., ahead of a big game.
Green Day began their performance with “Holiday,” followed by “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “American Idiot.”
Despite the group’s history of using music to criticize President Donald Trump and his policies, the group avoided political commentary with “Holiday” and “American Idiot,” contrary to fans’ expectations.
The group also excluded the political and controversial bridge from “Holiday.”
Green Day’s Super Bowl appearance was announced by the NFL on January 18th.
“I’m so excited to bring Super Bowl 60 to my backyard,” Armstrong, 53, said in a press release. “We’re honored to welcome some of the MVPs who have shaped the game and open the night for fans around the world. Let’s have fun! Let’s make a fuss!”
“Celebrating 60 years of Super Bowl history with Green Day as our hometown band and honoring the NFL legends who helped define our sport is an incredibly powerful way to kick off Super Bowl LX,” Tim Tubito, NFL Director of Events, Presentation & Content, said in a press release.
Donald Trump told the Post he will not attend the 2026 Super Bowl, criticizing Green Day and halftime performer Bad Bunny, who have been outspoken critics of the president.
“I’m against them. I think it’s a terrible choice. It just instills hatred. It’s terrible,” Trump said last month.
However, President Trump, who went to the Super Bowl last year, clarified that the reason he will miss the game this year is “because it’s too far away.”
“I would go if it were a little shorter,” he added.
A week before Trump’s remarks, Armstrong voiced support for anti-deportation protesters in Minnesota.
“I’m not part of the redneck agenda. I’m not part of the MAGA agenda,” he said.
A few months ago, on July 4, 2025, the Green Day frontman led an anti-Trump chant at the Rock Werchter Festival.
“F-Donald Trump,” Armstrong urged the crowd during the band’s rendition of “Holiday.” He also tweaked the lyrics of “American Idiot”, singing, “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda.”
Green Day was formed in 1987 in Rodeo, California. The band has released 14 studio albums and won five Grammy Awards out of 19 nominations.
Their latest album “Savers” was released over two years ago on January 19, 2024.
Other performers at the 2026 Super Bowl include Charlie Puth singing the national anthem, Brandi Carlyle singing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones singing “Life Every Voice and Sing.”
Bad Bunny, 31, will headline the halftime show.
