Here’s a secret: The actual start time is always slightly off. Broadcasters love to hype it as exactly 4:30 PM, but then they run a pre-show. That pre-show is dangerous—it tricks you into watching celebrity interviews for 15 extra minutes.
Set your alarm for 15 minutes after the posted time. That’s when the real chaos begins. You avoid the talking heads and catch the first fireworks.
Don’t Sleep on the Music
The ceremony always has a banger or a bizarre choice. In 2010, Shakira sang “Waka Waka” with a backdrop of dancing skeptic lizards. In 2026, the theme song had a giant glowing head that floated around the stadium.
If you hear a song you don’t recognize, embrace it. That’s the host nation’s earworm. You’ll be humming it in the shower for a week.
