Several of the most prominent names in music are set to perform the National Anthem before the start of Sunday’s Conference Championship games. These performances have become a focal point for fans and critics alike, especially in light of recent controversies surrounding similar events.

In recent days, the National Anthem performances at major sporting events have sparked strong reactions online. For example, college football fans criticized ESPN for allowing microphone checks to interfere with Jamal Roberts’s rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the CFP National Championship. This has led to increased scrutiny of how these performances are handled.

To avoid similar issues, the NFL is taking extra measures to ensure that the National Anthems at Lumen Field and Empower Field at Mile High go off without a hitch. Before the early afternoon matchup between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, Colorado singer Nathaniel Rateliff will perform the anthem for his hometown crowd.

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Rateliff, who is best known as the frontman of Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, is no stranger to performing at Mile High Stadium. He has previously performed the National Anthem ahead of a Broncos game in 2015 and even opened up for The Rolling Stones in 2019. Additionally, he had the honor of singing the National Anthem during Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat at Ball Arena.

“We’ve been friends with the Nuggets and big fans for quite some time. And so, we’re just happy to be back here to sing the anthem, myself and the rest of the Night Sweats,” Rateliff said to Denver7 at the time.

“You know, there’s a lot of bad national anthems, so we’re just trying to sing it the best we can. And we’ve done it a handful of times, but this particular event is very important to us and televised in a different way than a lot of the other performances have been.”

Later in the evening, Zach Top will take the stage at midfield in Seattle prior to kickoff in the Seahawks’ clash against the Los Angeles Rams. The 28-year-old has quickly become one of the most popular country singers in the nation following a record-breaking year filled with numerous accolades.

At the ACM Awards, Top was named the 2025 New Male Artist of the Year. At the CMA Awards, he also won New Artist of the Year and is nominated for Best Traditional Country Album, Best Country Song, and Best Country Solo Performance at the upcoming Grammys.

Like Rateliff, Top has performed the National Anthem at several sporting events, including a 2024 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the National Finals Rodeo.

“I’m always honored to get to do the anthem at any point, and it’s also the most stressful thing I think I’ve ever done and maybe ever will do,” he told Country Now in January 2024.

“I don’t get all that nervous anymore to get on stage and play a show, but you get out there and stand in the middle of that dirt and you feel kind of naked. There’s nothing covering you up. You better nail that.

“And I think my worst nightmare is ever forgetting the words in the middle of the national anthem, that would be embarrassing for sure, but very thankful for the opportunity to get to do that. I was honored that they picked me to open up the night with the anthem and thankful that folks seem to enjoy it.

“They’ve been really kind to me online and listening back to that version, it seems like people really enjoyed it. So I was glad I was able to do a nice job on that and do a little version of the anthem that folks enjoyed.”