Coldplay to Perform at Halftime of Super Bowl 50: Comments and Reaction

A year after Katy Perry stole the show at halftime of Super Bowl 49, British rock band Coldplay has been booked for the festivities at Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California. 

Dennis K. Berman and Hannah Karp of the Wall Street Journal broke the news days after the Sun reported Coldplay was primed to be tabbed for the gig. Pop sensations Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift were also reportedly in the running for the appearance at Levi's Stadium. 

The confirmation comes a day before the Chris Martin-led group is slated to release its seventh studio album, A Head Full of Dreams. 

NBC Sports' Kay Adams provided her take on the decision:  

In August 2014, Karp noted Coldplay was one of three finalists—along with Perry and Rihanna—considered for the Super Bowl 49 stage. However, Karp reported the NFL asked Coldplay—among others—to pay for the right to play the sought-after show. 

Shortly before the NFL season kicked off, Billboard reported Super Bowl 48 halftime performer Bruno Mars had been asked to "curate" this year's show. To date, there has been no official word released regarding Mars' involvement. 

Mars and Beyoncé—who is featured on Coldplay's new track "Hymn for the Weekend" and performed at halftime of Super Bowl 47—are reportedly in talks to perform as well, according to the Wall Street Journal (via Time).  

Since Perry brought out guests Missy Elliott and Lenny Kravitz to kick things up a notch a year ago, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the NFL load up the stage with surprise performers on the 50th anniversary of the league's biggest spectacle.