(GALLERY) Beyoncé Shines in Historic Halftime Performance, Netflix’s NFL Christmas Gameday Sets Records
HOUSTON, TX — Beyoncé gifted fans worldwide with a dazzling halftime performance during Netflix’s first-ever NFL Christmas Gameday as the Houston Texans hosted the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. The performance, dubbed the “Beyoncé Bowl,” became an instant cultural phenomenon, blending music, fashion, and history into a spectacle for the ages.
Produced by Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment and Jesse Collins Entertainment, the performance featured songs from her record-breaking album COWBOY CARTER, which recently garnered 11 Grammy nominations, the most ever for a female artist. Fans can relive the magic when Beyoncé Bowl streams as a standalone special on Netflix later this week.
An Electrifying Show in Her Hometown
In her hometown of Houston, Beyoncé commanded the stage with a 12-minute performance showcasing hits like “16 CARRIAGES,” “BLACKBIIRD,” “YA YA,” “JOLENE,” and the fan-favorite “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM,” which ended with the superstar being lifted to the rafters. The show featured a star-studded lineup of guest performers, including Post Malone, Shaboozey, and Blue Ivy Carter, who joined as a featured dancer. Other standout guests included Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and Tiera Kennedy.
In a nod to Western and Rodeo culture, Beyoncé spotlighted icons like Mexican cowgirl Melanie Rivera, bull-riding legend Myrtis Dightman Jr., and Miss Rodeo Texas Princess Nikki Woodward. Nearly 200 members of Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band amplified the performance, delivering their signature precision and energy.
Netflix’s Christmas Gameday Breaks Records
The Beyoncé Bowl contributed to a record-breaking Christmas for Netflix and the NFL, drawing nearly 65 million U.S. viewers across two games and making them the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history. Viewership peaked during Beyoncé’s halftime performance, with 27 million tuning in, according to Nielsen.
The Ravens-Texans game also became the most-watched Christmas Day game ever among viewers aged 18-34, with 5.1 million in this demographic alone. On social media, Beyoncé’s performance dominated global trends, with #BeyonceBowl trending #1 worldwide and #NFLonNetflix making waves across countries like Australia, the UK, Brazil, and Germany.
A Legacy of Halftime Excellence
This performance adds to Beyoncé’s legacy of iconic NFL halftime shows, including her Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2016, which remain among the most-watched in history.
Netflix and NFL Celebrate a Historic Day
“This record-breaking day of NFL games and Beyoncé’s electrifying performance was the ultimate Christmas gift,” said Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer. NFL Executive VP Hans Schroeder echoed the sentiment: “Fans across the globe witnessed a historic day for the league, combining star-studded games and unforgettable halftime entertainment.”
The NFL Christmas Gameday marked the beginning of a three-season partnership between Netflix and the NFL, setting a high bar for holiday entertainment.
Don’t miss the standalone release of Beyoncé Bowl on Netflix later this week. Visit Netflix.com/BeyonceBowl for more details.
For performance photos, check out our exclusive gallery below! (Photos: Courtesy of Netflix)