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A group of high school marching bands performs at the halftime show of the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl.

A halftime show is a performance given between the first and second halves or the 2nd and 3rd quarters of a sporting event. Halftime shows are not given for sports with an irregular or indeterminate number of divisions (such as baseball or boxing), or for sports that don't stop. Ice hockey games consist of three periods, so there are in effect two halftimes at a hockey game: the intermissions are usually given over to contests involving randomly-selected audience members.

A halftime show can consist of cheerleader performances, marching bands playing music or other spectacle performances.

A halftime show is a traditional element in an American football game. During the interval between the second and third quarters (normally 20 minutes) some form of entertainment is presented on the field. The entertainment frequently consists of performances by marching bands.

At high school and most college games, the school bands of the two competing teams perform at halftime. Often, the cheerleaders and/or a dance team will perform. Other activities may also take place, and these vary widely. Until sometime in the early 1980s, these shows were typically televised (assuming the game itself was televised, of course): since that time it has become traditional for TV networks to devote the halftime to a roundup of other games' scores.

During a professional football game, a high school or college band may be brought in to perform. For the Super Bowl game, an elaborate show involving world-renowned music stars, dancers, fireworks and other special effects has become the norm.

In the United States, the halftime show for the Super Bowl is a highlight of the event and can cost millions to stage.

On February 1, 2004, the live halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVIII, produced by music video giant MTV, sparked outrage among many viewers when Justin Timberlake, one of the performers, exposed Janet Jackson's right breast in a 'wardrobe malfunction'. Since it was broadcast live, the exposure was seen by millions when it happened.

Due to the precise timing required to accommodate the high priced advertising surrounding the halftime shows, performers sing live but to pre-recorded backing tracks. The band on stage plays along with the pre-recorded backing tracks. The guitar solos are also performed live rather than being pre-recorded.

• Seventh inning stretch
• Tifo
• Card stunts

• The Super Bowl Halftime Show Honor Roll gives a list of all past halftime shows at the Super Bowl, with the producer, the theme and the talent featured in each one.
• Statement regarding the Super Bowl halftime show How NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue feels about the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy