Country Star Nate Smith to Ignite the Capital One Halftime Show at 2025 College Football Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl
Lauren Alaina to Heat Up Capital One Orange Bowl Fan Fest with Free Pre-Game Concert
MIAMI, Fla. (December 23, 2024) – The most iconic halftime show in college football returns with ACM New Male Artist and Billboard Rookie of the Year Nate Smith headlining the 2025 Capital One Halftime Show during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium. Nate Smith joins an esteemed list of recent Capital One Orange Bowl halftime acts that includes Fitz and The Tantrums, Walker Hayes, Gavin DeGraw, Flo Rida, and Andy Grammer.
Since bursting onto the scene, Nate Smith has taken the country music world by storm, amassing over 1.6 billion career streams and earning three chart-topping hits, including the multi-week No. 1 “Whiskey on You.” His second single, “World on Fire,” broke records by staying at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay an impressive 10 consecutive weeks and was Mediabase/Country Aircheck’s most-played song on country radio in 2024. His most recent No. 1, “Bulletproof,” made Smith the first artist in R&R/Mediabase history to start their career with three consecutive multi-week No. 1s. His new album, California Gold, is available now.
Smith’s powerhouse tenor and heartfelt lyrics have solidified his place as one of country music’s most exciting voices. His accolades include Billboard’s Rookie of the Year, Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist of 2024, and nominations for CMA, ACM, CMT, and iHeartRadio Music Awards. Known for blending gritty backwoods soul with rock ‘n’ roll swagger, Smith’s music resonates with fans across genres, making his halftime performance not one to miss.
Joining the game day entertainment is Grand Ole Opry member and multi-faceted country star Lauren Alaina, who will headline the Capital One Orange Bowl Fan Fest. The event will take place outside Hard Rock Stadium in the South Lot from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. on game day, Jan. 9. Admission to the event is free for all fans with a ticket to the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Lauren Alaina has earned three chart-topping hits, including the 9X platinum smash “What Ifs” with Kane Brown and the RIAA platinum-certified “Road Less Traveled.” With her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence, Alaina has graced iconic stages like the Grand Ole Opry and shared the spotlight with legends such as Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. Her latest EP, Unlocked, showcases a new era of her artistry, offering fans a deeper connection to her music.
With these phenomenal performers taking the stage, the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl promises to be a day full of unforgettable entertainment, celebrating the best in college football, music, and fan experiences.
Talent Booking by ACT Productions.
To register as a volunteer through the Orange Bowl Ambassador Program, please log on to orangebowl.org/volunteer.
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About Capital One
At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them best-in-class products, rewards, service, and experiences. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation, and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, we provide our rewards cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in the areas they’re passionate about, including dining, music, sports and the arts. Learn more at capitalone.com/dining and capitalone.com/entertainment.
About Nate Smith:
Bursting onto the scene a few short years ago, country vocal powerhouse Nate Smith has accumulated nearly 2 billion career streams, scored three No. 1 records (“Whiskey on You,” “World on Fire” and “Bulletproof”), garnered multiple gold and platinum records, sold-out shows across the US and received numerous nominations for best new artist from the CMA Awards, CMT Awards, iHeart Radio Awards and so many more. Most recently, Smith received the award for ACM New Male Artist of the Year, Billboard’s Rookie of the Year and Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist for 2024.
The ACM Award winner just wrapped a major stadium tour with Morgan Wallen and has toured alongside Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell. Nate is managed by Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Simon Tikhman with The Core Entertainment.
About Lauren Alaina
Grand Ole Opry member and Big Loud Records powerhouse Lauren Alaina is unlocking a new era with her debut EP on the label out now. The six-song set fittingly titled Unlocked reintroduces the multi-faceted star, stripping back every layer and allowing fans to know her more than ever before. Alaina has earned three chart-topping hits: RIAA Platinum-certified “Road Less Traveled,” 9X Platinum “What Ifs” with her childhood friend Kane Brown, and 3X Platinum “ONE BEER” with labelmate HARDY + Devin Dawson. The Georgia-born force, who American Songwriter notes is “on a seemingly limitless upward trajectory,” has shared the stage with Alan Jackson, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, and more. Next year, she joins the much-anticipated Rascal Flatts Life Is A Highway Tour. The gold-medal vocalist has performed on some of the highest-profile stages in the world including PBS’ A Capitol Fourth, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, CBS’ Beyond The Edge, ABC’s The Bachelorette, TODAY, Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, ABC’s CMA Fest specials, CMA and ACM Awards, Nickelodeon’s All That, Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day halftime performance, MLB’s World Series national anthem performance, a performance at the White House for President Obama, and more.
