The Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots will go head-to-head on Sunday, Jan. 25. The last time both teams faced each other in the playoffs and the conference championship was on Jan. 24, 2016, in which the Broncos won by 2 points.
As a result of that, the excitement for Sunday’s matchup between both Super Bowl contenders has already skyrocketed. And as part of that, the pre-game festivities are grabbing attention. Let’s find out who is singing the national anthem at the Patriots-Broncos game.
Who Will Sing the National Anthem at Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship?
New England and Denver will face off Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET, which is 1:00 p.m. local time in Colorado.
The matchup takes place at Empower Field at Mile High, and it represents a milestone moment for the Broncos, who are hosting the conference championship on their home turf for the first time in a decade.
And before the AFC championship game kicks off, Colorado’s star artist, Nathaniel Rateliff, will perform the Star-Spangled Banner, per 9News.
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Rateliff is a country singer-songwriter who blends folk, soul, blues, and rock into deeply emotional and authentic music. Born on October 7, 1978, in St. Louis, Missouri, and growing up in Hermann, he began playing music at a young age in church and later taught himself guitar and started writing his own songs.
Rateliff moved to Denver, Colorado, where he played in early bands and released his own music in the indie folk scene. He gained mainstream attention when he formed the band Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats in 2013.
The group became widely known for their energetic performances and a breakthrough song called S.O.B., which helped bring their self-titled album to national success.
Rateliff now continues to record and tour both on his own and with the Night Sweats and is respected for his powerful live shows and heartfelt songwriting.
How To Watch Patriots vs Broncos AFC Championship?
If you’re gearing up for this huge AFC Championship matchup between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos, here’s everything you need to know to catch the action live.
For viewers in the United States, CBS will broadcast the game on television, so tune in to your local CBS affiliate to watch the full contest live. If you prefer to stream online, the game will be available through Fubo if you want to watch on your phone, tablet, or smart TV.
Additionally, the matchup will stream on Paramount+, CBS’s official streaming platform, giving subscribers another way to catch every play.
Keep in mind that both streaming options may have regional restrictions depending on where you are located, so double-check availability ahead of kickoff to make sure you’re set up to watch.
at least he didn’t sing thru his nose like other of these singers in hillbilly heaven