Yo, sports and music are crashing together like never before, and it’s about to get wild with Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) headlining the halftime show for the New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers game in Munich. This showdown is happening on November 10—mark those calendars, folks! Coz that’ll be a game to remember!

MGK is set to bring the heat to the NFL’s final international game of the 2024 season at Allianz Arena. He’s set to perform his latest jam “Lonely Road,” which throws major love to John Denver’s classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” That tune is like the unofficial anthem for German football fans, so you know this is no random choice. Even Tim Tubito, the NFL’s Director of Event and Game Presentation, hyped him up. “MGK is one of the coolest talents out there.” 

You wanna know how to watch this? Pretty simple. Fans in Germany can tune in for free on RTL, and hey, it’s also gonna stream on the NFL’s World Feed. But don’t sweat it if you’re in the U.S.! You can catch highlights on NFL Network after the game, and the whole performance will pop up on NFL’s social channels soon after. And are you wondering why there’s no streaming in the US? Well, the halftime show is for the audience present there, just to keep them engaged. It’s all to ensure no fan gets left out, whether you’re chilling in Munich or kicking back stateside.

Now, let’s keep it real! The matchup between the Giants and the Panthers isn’t exactly sparking fireworks. Many fans are already rolling their eyes, thinking, “Seriously? This is what I’m tuning into?” So yeah, the excitement level for the game is more like a slow burn than a bonfire.

Fan backlash and the NFL’s global expansion

And here comes the juicy part! Fan reactions to MGK’s halftime show have been a rollercoaster! Some fans have taken to social media, dripping with sarcasm, claiming Germany might ignite another war just to get through MGK’s performance. One fan even called the whole situation a “shameless” move by Commissioner Roger Goodell, suggesting that choosing MGK is a low blow for such a big international event. This backlash is a serious reminder of how tough it is for the NFL to win over the international crowd. If they keep flubbing it, they might lose out on a bunch of eager fans willing to embrace American football!

But let’s not stop there. The concerns stretch beyond just MGK and this underwhelming game. With the NFL planning to expand to eight international games in 2025, such decisions are definitely pivotal. It’s like they’ve opened up a can of worms, and fans want a mix of thrilling matchups paired with entertainment! So, does MGK fit that bill? Opinions vary widely, and that’s where things get spicy.

And what’s even a little more messy? MGK’s gig has added to the fire about who gets to be in the spotlight in these big shows. Lil Wayne, an icon and die-hard Packers fan, called out the NFL. Why? Coz he was left out of the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. This is all bleeding into a bigger picture where the NFL needs to ensure they’re picking the right artists for both excitement and fan loyalty.

Machine Gun Kelly’s halftime performance is a flashpoint for discussions about what the NFL needs to do to keep fans happy as they expand globally. With mixed feelings about the game and the entertainment, the NFL has its work cut out. After all, they’re not just dealing with football here. They’re dancing between culture, music, and massive expectations!