Grey Cup Halftime Show 2025: MGK’s Punk Performance and Setlist

Few halftime shows generate as much chatter as the Grey Cup’s—and the 2025 edition delivered something the CFL hadn’t seen before when Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) brought a punk-rock edge to the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg on November 16. Here’s everything from his setlist to how it stacks up against the Super Bowl spectacle.

Event: 112th Grey Cup ·
Date: November 16, 2025 ·
Performer: Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) ·
Venue: Winnipeg, Manitoba ·
Sponsor: Bud Light ·
YouTube views (as of early 2026): 112K+

Here are the key details of the 2025 Grey Cup halftime show.

Who did the halftime show for the Grey Cup?

The 112th Grey Cup halftime show on November 16, 2025, featured Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) as the headline act at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The CFL (Canadian Football League, official league site) announced MGK’s selection on October 16, 2025, marking a deliberate shift from the Canadian pop tradition of past performers like Justin Bieber and Shania Twain toward a heavier, punk-influenced sound.

MGK’s performance at the 112th Grey Cup

MGK split his set between original hits and a well-timed cover. According to Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster), his set included “Don’t Wait Run Fast” from his 2025 album, alongside other chart tracks. The most-talked-about moment: a cover of Third Eye Blind’s “Semi-Charmed Life,” which drew cheers from the crowd of football fans who lit up the stadium with phone flashlights.

Backed by a full band and CFL cheerleaders, MGK appeared in a football jersey, leaning into the sport aesthetic. Setlist.fm (concert fan database) confirms the venue and date, noting the performance hit during halftime of the Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Montreal Alouettes matchup.

Setlist highlights and crowd reaction

• “Don’t Wait Run Fast” — original track from MGK’s 2025 album
• “Semi-Charmed Life” (Third Eye Blind cover) — highlight moment
• Other original hits, full set order not publicly documented

Reaction online was overwhelmingly positive. Reddit user Orangecatlover4 commented, “The transitions were soooo smooth,” echoing a sentiment that appeared across multiple threads about the show.

Sponsorship and production details

Bud Light sponsored the halftime show as part of the broader Grey Cup Festival week programming. The CFL’s official announcement confirmed that Our Lady Peace opened the SiriusXM Grey Cup Kickoff Show, and Catie St. Germain—a Niverville, Manitoba native—performed the national anthem to open the game.

The implication: the CFL now has a blueprint for booking non-traditional acts that still connect with the stadium audience.

Do halftime performers get paid?

The short answer: yes for the Grey Cup, differently for the Super Bowl. While the headline acts at Grey Cup halftime shows receive compensation from the event sponsor, Yahoo Entertainment (news outlet covering entertainment) reports that Super Bowl halftime performers historically do not receive a performance fee.

Super Bowl vs. Grey Cup payment structures

Here’s how the two events compare on compensation.

One clear pattern: the Super Bowl’s model is zero-fee but unmatched global reach, while the Grey Cup’s sponsor-pays approach provides direct income but a smaller audience.

How sponsors and exposure factor in

For artists like MGK, the Grey Cup stage offers something the Super Bowl cannot: a direct paycheck. But exposure still matters. Sportsnet noted that the performance quickly racked up over 112,000 YouTube views in its first month, giving MGK’s 2025 album a second wind with Canadian audiences.

The pattern: the sponsor-funded model keeps the show independent of public subsidies.

Who declined to perform at halftime?

Several artists have turned down the Super Bowl halftime show over the years, often citing political differences or lack of pay. Mental Floss (popular culture magazine) lists notable refusals including Rihanna (multiple times before eventually accepting for Super Bowl LVII), Adele, and Jay-Z. The primary reasons: protest over the NFL’s handling of player protests, or dissatisfaction with the no-fee model.

Declines for the Grey Cup

There are no public reports of artists declining the 2025 Grey Cup halftime show specifically. The CFL’s announcement came a month before game day, suggesting a relatively smooth booking process with CFL official site confirming MGK as the sole performer for the Bud Light-branded segment.

Is there a Turning Point halftime show?

Yes, the Turning Point event—a separate cultural festival—included its own halftime show in 2025. Kid Rock headlined that performance, which aired on specific channels and streaming platforms. The Turning Point halftime show is distinct from the Grey Cup’s and operates under its own sponsorship model, though exact viewership numbers for 2025 have not been publicly disclosed.

Kid Rock’s halftime performance in 2025

Reports confirm Kid Rock performed at the Turning Point halftime show in early 2025, though the exact date and channel remain unspecified in available coverage. His set leaned on his catalog of hits, offering a contrast to MGK’s punk-influenced show.

Who is performing at the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show?

Kendrick Lamar headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February 2025 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The difference in payment model is stark: Yahoo Entertainment confirms Super Bowl acts receive no performance fee, relying on exposure-driven career boosts. Lamar’s performance, produced by Apple Music, drew an estimated 120 million+ viewers globally—roughly 100 times the Grey Cup’s Canadian audience.

Comparison to Grey Cup halftime show

This table shows how the two major halftime shows stack up.

The catch: the audience gap means the Grey Cup’s payout is a trade-off for smaller reach.

Steps to watch the Grey Cup halftime show replay

1. Visit YouTube: Search “MGK Grey Cup halftime show 2025” for the official video posted by the CFL or TSN.
2. Check TSN On Demand: If you’re in Canada, TSN’s streaming service carries full game replays including halftime segments.
3. Browse CFL.ca: The league’s official site archives game highlights, typically within 48 hours of broadcast.
4. Watch on Reddit: Fans often clip and upload performances to r/CFL for those outside Canada without TSN access.

“The transitions were soooo smooth.”

— Reddit user Orangecatlover4, commenting on MGK’s performance

“MGK thrills football fans at 112th Grey Cup halftime show in Winnipeg.”

— Sportsnet, November 16, 2025

“Super Bowl halftime performers don’t get paid—here’s why they jump at the chance.”

— Yahoo Entertainment, analysis of payment models

“8 Artists Who Turned Down the Super Bowl Halftime Show.”

— Mental Floss, list of notable refusals

For the CFL (Canadian Football League), choosing MGK was a bet on youth and energy. For Canadian fans, the gamble paid off: a halftime show that trended on social media, drew new viewers to the CFL’s YouTube channel, and proved that a punk-rock set can work in a football stadium. The trade-off is clear—smaller audience than the Super Bowl, but a direct financial relationship with the performer that the NFL’s model doesn’t offer. For brands like Bud Light, the investment bought a memorable cultural moment in Canadian sports. For football fans across the country, the question next November won’t be “who will perform?” but “will it top this?”

For a detailed Grey Cup halftime recap, fans can look back at every punk-rock moment from MGK’s Winnipeg performance.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Kid Rock Halftime Show · NHL All-Star Skills Competition