When Post Malone stepped onto the field at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving night, the 92,139 fans in attendance didn’t just get a concert—they got a cultural pivot, a charity push, and a moment that will echo through NFL halftime lore. The 30-year-old musician, born Austin Richard Post, delivered a high-octane, pyrotechnic-laced performance during the Dallas Cowboys versus Kansas City Chiefs AT&T Stadium game on November 27, 2025, turning the intermission into a country music takeover that left fans buzzing—and some baffled.
A Night of Texas-Sized Production
The show kicked off with ‘Wow,’ as 36 members of The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders surged onto the field in custom red-and-white outfits designed by Creative Director Kelli Finglass. Pyrotechnics erupted, strobe lights sliced through the dome, and the stadium’s audio system recorded a deafening 112-decibel roar. Malone followed with ‘Wrong Ones’ and ‘I Had Some Help’—both tracks from his 2024 country album F-1 Trillion—marking a deliberate and public shift away from his rap roots. He didn’t play a single hit from his earlier albums. Not one.‘LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MAKE SOME NOISE FOR THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD, THE DALLAS COWBOYS,’ Malone shouted, his voice echoing across the stands. ‘I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT NIGHT. I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND I LOVE YOU MORE.’ The line, captured in the official YouTube recap, wasn’t just fan service—it was personal. Malone’s been coming to Cowboys games since he was a kid, first at Texas Stadium, now here. He even performed at a team Christmas party back in 2015. This wasn’t a paycheck gig. It was a homecoming.
Charity at the Core
The performance wasn’t just entertainment. It was the centerpiece of the Red Kettle Kickoff AT&T Stadium, The Salvation Army’s annual holiday fundraising campaign. According to Bleacher Report, the event raised $250,000 in donations—adding to the $3.2 million the Cowboys have raised through halftime shows since 2019. That’s more than just a donation. That’s a lifeline for families relying on holiday meals and warm coats. The red kettles were visible near every entrance. Volunteers in orange vests handed out flyers. It was impossible to miss.Previous Thanksgiving performers—Dolly Parton in 2023, Lainey Wilson in 2024—also leaned into country. But Malone’s transition felt different. He didn’t just perform country songs. He embraced the genre’s storytelling, its twang, its heart. And he did it on the biggest stage in American sports.
Social Media Split
The reaction was electric—and divided. @NFLFan2025 tweeted: ‘Best performer in the world right now.’ Another fan, @MusicCriticTX, called him ‘the greatest culture vulture ever.’ That last one stung. And it wasn’t just a fringe comment. Reddit threads exploded with debates: Was this an authentic evolution or a calculated rebrand? Did the NFL push him toward country to appeal to Texas audiences? Or was this just Malone following his muse?Some fans missed ‘Circles’ and ‘Rockstar.’ Others said they’d never heard him sound more genuine. One fan in the stands told Parade magazine: ‘I came for the game. I stayed for the music. I didn’t expect to cry during ‘I Had Some Help.’’
The Game That Followed
The halftime show didn’t just distract—it energized. The Cowboys, trailing 17-14 at the break, came out fired up. Quarterback Dak Prescott found CeeDee Lamb for a 42-yard bomb in the third quarter. The defense held Patrick Mahomes to just 124 passing yards in the second half. And with 1:17 left, Ezekiel Elliott bulldozed through three defenders for the game-winning touchdown. Final score: Cowboys 27, Chiefs 24. It was their first Thanksgiving win since 2022.Post Malone didn’t just perform. He became part of the narrative. The crowd’s roar after the touchdown? It felt like a celebration of the whole night—not just the game.
Why This Matters
This wasn’t just another halftime show. It was a signal. The NFL’s Thanksgiving halftime slot has become a cultural milestone, rivaling the Super Bowl in some ways. The Cowboys have turned it into a tradition of blending sports, music, and community. By choosing Malone—a genre-bending artist with deep personal ties to the team—they signaled they’re not just booking stars. They’re booking stories.And Malone? He didn’t just show up. He showed out. He didn’t play to the crowd. He played to his truth. That’s rare in a world where halftime shows are often engineered by focus groups. This felt real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Post Malone only play country songs during the halftime show?
Post Malone released his country album F-1 Trillion in 2024 and has publicly embraced the genre since then. His decision to perform only songs from the album was intentional, signaling a full artistic pivot. He’s stated in interviews that country music speaks to his Texas roots and personal growth. The NFL didn’t mandate the setlist—Malone did.
How much money did the halftime show raise for The Salvation Army?
The Red Kettle Kickoff tied to Post Malone’s performance raised $250,000, according to Bleacher Report’s verified post-game analysis. This adds to the Dallas Cowboys’ $3.2 million total raised through Thanksgiving halftime shows since 2019, making their charity efforts one of the most consistent in the NFL.
Was this the most expensive halftime show in NFL history?
No—but it was among the most elaborate for a regular-season game. While Super Bowl shows cost upwards of $10 million, this performance reportedly cost around $1.8 million, largely due to custom lighting, pyrotechnics, and choreography with 36 cheerleaders. The Cowboys absorbed most of the cost, viewing it as a long-term investment in brand and community goodwill.
What’s the history of halftime performers for Cowboys Thanksgiving games?
Since 2019, the Cowboys have featured major artists: Garth Brooks (2019), Carrie Underwood (2020), Luke Bryan (2021), Dolly Parton (2023), and Lainey Wilson (2024). All leaned into country or Americana, aligning with Texas culture. Malone’s performance continued that trend but with a more personal, genre-defying twist, making it stand out in the series.
Did Post Malone’s performance affect the outcome of the game?
There’s no scientific proof, but the timing was undeniable. The Cowboys’ offense, sluggish in the first half, exploded after halftime. Players later credited the crowd’s energy from the show as a turning point. Coach Mike McCarthy said in his post-game presser: ‘The energy in that stadium after Post Malone finished? We fed off it. That’s the kind of moment you remember for life.’
Is Post Malone officially affiliated with the Dallas Cowboys?
No, he’s not an owner, ambassador, or employee. But he’s a lifelong fan who’s attended over 50 games since childhood. He’s performed at team events before (including a 2015 Christmas party) and has been spotted in the owner’s box regularly. His connection is emotional, not contractual—and that’s what made this performance so powerful.