15 July 2026SideLine · sports news, rewritten
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ITV and BBC to Broadcast Full World Cup Final Halftime Show

By SideLine Desk ·
ITV and BBC to Broadcast Full World Cup Final Halftime Show
Illustration: SideLine

UK broadcasters ITV and BBC will air the complete halftime entertainment for Sunday's World Cup final, despite initial worries about the show's duration impacting match analysis time.

Both ITV and BBC have confirmed plans to broadcast the entirety of Fifa's halftime show during the World Cup final, set to take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium. This decision comes despite earlier expressions of concern from broadcasters regarding the potential length of the performance and its impact on their post-game analysis segments.

The halftime spectacle, which has been curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and is expected to feature performances from artists such as Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop group BTS, has been a talking point in recent weeks. Broadcasters are reportedly preparing for the interval to last approximately 25 to 30 minutes, a duration that had previously raised questions about scheduling.

While the exact length of the show remains somewhat fluid, the commitment from the BBC and ITV to show it in full indicates a desire to provide viewers with the complete World Cup final experience. The broadcasters anticipate finding the necessary time to cover both the entertainment and their usual post-match commentary and analysis.

💬 SideLine Take

Broadcasters caving to the halftime show's length is a win for spectacle over traditional analysis, showing the growing influence of entertainment on major sporting events.

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