Grey Cup halftime show 2019: Start time, performers

One of the biggest draws of the Grey Cup isn't just the game itself, but the performers on display at halftime.

Make no mistake — Canada loves its unique brand of football and will no doubt tune in by the millions to see whether the Hamilton Tiger-Cats or Winnipeg Blue Bombers will raise the storied trophy, but an added appeal comes when the players head to the locker rooms and a global star hits the stage.

This year brings country music superstar Keith Urban to Calgary's McMahon Stadium. It'll be the first time Urban headlines Canada's biggest annual sporting event, but he's far from the first world-renowned artist to take centre stage. Urban joins the likes of Shania Twain, Justin Bieber, Lenny Kravitz, Nelly Furtado, The Black Eyed Peas and other as performers who have previously headlined this event.

Here's everything to know about this year's 107th Grey Cup halftime show, including expected start time and a full list of performances throughout the game's history.

Who is performing during halftime of the 107th Grey Cup?

Keith Urban is headlining the halftime show.

The Aussie was announced as the performer during an episode of entertainment news show ETALK in September. CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie called Urban "authentic and genuine" at the time of the announcement.

“I know we’ve scored an absolute touchdown for football and music fans everywhere when my three young daughters are as excited about this big news as I am,” Ambrosie said in a statement. “Our early relationship with Keith has already shown him to be as authentic and genuine as he is famous and talented. We can’t wait to see him and everyone in Calgary as we share his shining light and Canada’s spirit with fans here at home and viewers around the world.”

Urban's album sales have surpassed 20 million units over the course of his three decade-long career. The 52-year-old has four GRAMMY Awards to his name, along with 13 Country Music Awards and several other honours.

What time does the Grey Cup halftime show start?

The 107th Grey Cup will be played Sunday, Nov. 24, and kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. That means halftime should arrive around 8:15 p.m., depending on the pace of play.

Who is Keith Urban?

An Australian-born singer, Urban has six No. 1 albums to his credit and 23 songs that have reached the top of the country charts. Having released his first album in 1991, Urban broke through with the 1999 release of his self-titled U.S. debut (his second self-titled album).

He continued his success in 2002 with the release of  Golden Road , which reached triple platinum status in the United States and double platinum in Canada. Urban's most successful album is 2004's  Be Here ,  which was certified four times platinum by the RIAA, and was double platinum in Canada and three times platinum in his native Australia.

Since then, every album Urban has released has spent time in the top 10 of the American pop charts.

Who is singing the national anthem at the 107th Grey Cup?

It'll be some local flavour providing the music for "O Canada" as the Calgary Stampede Showband is scheduled to perform, along with a young guest vocalist.

Where is Grey Cup 2019?

The 107th Grey Cup will take place at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, home of the Calgary Stampeders. 

It's the fifth time the city and the venue will host the CFL's championship game.

List of Grey Cup halftime show performers