World Cup Halftime Show Boosts Streaming for Major Artists

WHO:

WJAC - Gianna Hardison, a 25-year-old competitive dancer, performed alongside Shakira during the halftime show.

NBC Connecticut - The halftime show featured an 11-minute performance with artists including Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Shakira.

NBC10 Philadelphia - The halftime show was described as the first-ever World Cup halftime show.

The Violin Channel - Gustavo Dudamel led the New York Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra in a performance at the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show.

NBC Connecticut - Carlos Alcaraz presented the World Cup trophy and celebrated with Spain's players, including Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal.

MJVibe - IShowSpeed performed a spontaneous duet of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" with Carlos Alcaraz at Justin Bieber's exclusive World Cup after-party.

The Daily Star - The closing ceremony will feature Post Malone, Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, IShowSpeed, Tom Cruise, and Jennifer Hudson.

NBC Connecticut - Gustavo Dudamel collaborated with Chris Martin and BTS for the halftime show.

NBC Connecticut - Performers included Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, and Burna Boy.

NBC10 Philadelphia - Notable figures included Jennifer Hudson, Tom Cruise, and Carlos Alcaraz.

WHAT:

WJAC - Gianna Hardison's performance was part of the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show, which she described as "very surreal."

NBC Connecticut - Luminate found that global streams of Justin Bieber's “Everything Hallelujah” rose to 1.25 million, a 110% increase from 592,000.

NBC10 Philadelphia - Global streams of Madonna's “Music” increased to 321,000, a 66% rise from 193,000.

NBC Connecticut - Global streams of BTS' “Dynamite” increased to 3.05 million, a 43% rise from 2.14 million.

NBC10 Philadelphia - Shakira and Burna Boy's “Dai Dai” gained 3.48 million new global streams, increasing from 14.78 million to 18.27 million, a 24% rise.

The Violin Channel - The orchestras performed a rendition of The White Stripes’ "Seven Nation Army" alongside The Muppets during the halftime show.

NBC Connecticut - Luminate found that the artists only saw considerable jumps in the songs they performed during the halftime show, not across their entire catalogs.

NBC Connecticut - Luminate found that global streams of Justin Bieber's “Everything Hallelujah” rose to 1.25 million, a 110% increase from 592,000.

NBC Connecticut - Global streams of Madonna's “Music” increased to 321,000, a 66% rise from 193,000.

NBC Connecticut - BTS' “Dynamite” saw an increase to 3.05 million streams, a 43% rise from 2.14 million.

NBC Connecticut - Shakira and Burna Boy's “Dai Dai” gained 3.48 million new global streams, increasing from 14.78 million to 18.27 million, a 24% rise.

NBC Connecticut - In the U.S., streams of “Dai Dai” rose to 2.55 million, a 52% increase from 1.68 million.

MJVibe - The clip of Alcaraz and IShowSpeed singing "Beat It" gained over 290,000 views and 7,000 likes shortly after being shared online.

The Daily Star - The closing ceremony is described as a "star-studded" event that will transform the stadium into a celebration of music, culture, entertainment, and football.

Billboard - Gustavo Dudamel brought "huge energy and surprises" to the halftime show.

NBC Connecticut - The halftime show featured an 11-minute performance.

NBC Connecticut - Global streams of Justin Bieber's “Everything Hallelujah” increased by 110%, from 592,000 to 1.25 million.

NBC Connecticut - Global streams of Madonna's “Music” rose by 66%, from 193,000 to 321,000.

NBC Connecticut - BTS' “Dynamite” saw an increase in global streams from 2.14 million to 3.05 million, a 43% rise.

NBC Connecticut - Shakira and Burna Boy's anthem “Dai Dai” gained 3.48 million new global streams, a 24% increase from 14.78 million to 18.27 million.

NBC Connecticut - In the U.S., streams of “Dai Dai” rose by 52%, from 1.68 million to 2.55 million.

WHERE:

NBC Connecticut - The halftime show took place just outside New York.

WHEN:

MJVibe - Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time on July 19, thanks to Ferran Torres' goal.

The Daily Star - The closing ceremony is set to take place before the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

NBC Connecticut - The performance occurred during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

WHY:

WJAC - Hardison was selected to perform after a dance video she filmed on the Santa Monica pier caught Shakira’s attention, leading to her group being chosen for the event.

Billboard - Dudamel expressed that performing with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra was a powerful reminder of music's ability to bring people together in solidarity, hope, and community.

The Violin Channel - Dudamel expressed that performing with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra was a powerful reminder of music's ability to bring people together in solidarity, hope, and community, especially in light of recent natural disasters in Venezuela.

The Daily Star - FIFA aims to celebrate football's universal appeal by integrating music, cinema, digital culture, and sports in the closing ceremony.

NBC Connecticut - The performance resulted in significant streaming increases for the songs performed.

HOW:

WJAC - Hardison and her group were selected after posting a video on social media, which coincided with Shakira announcing a contest for performers.

NBC Connecticut - Luminate analyzed streaming data two days before the final and compared it to the final and the day afterward.

NBC Connecticut - Luminate analyzed streaming data two days before the final and compared it to the final and the day afterward.

The Daily Star - The halftime show will be curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay, marking the first-ever halftime show in the final ceremony.

Billboard - Dudamel provided insights into the creative process behind the halftime show segment.

NBC Connecticut - Luminate analyzed streaming data two days before the final and compared it to the final and the day afterward.

Gianna Hardison, a 25-year-old competitive dancer, had the incredible opportunity to perform alongside Shakira during the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show, an experience she described as "very surreal." Hardison was chosen for this momentous event after a dance video she filmed on the Santa Monica pier caught Shakira’s attention, leading to her group being selected through a contest announced on social media. This unique collaboration highlights how talent can shine through unexpected avenues, bringing together artists from different backgrounds on a global stage.