NE-YO Shines: World Series National Anthem Performance Goes Viral
NE-YO captivated audiences with his rendition of the national anthem at game 4 of the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. This pivotal game offered the Brewers a chance to sweep the series and claim their first championship. NE-YO also discussed his preparation and past major event performances.
NE-YO delivered a memorable performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at game 4 of the 2026 World Series on Tuesday night, October 27, in Tampa Bay. The R&B superstar's silky-smooth vocals resonated across the baseball field, with a graphic of the American flag waving behind him, as the Milwaukee Brewers faced the Tampa Bay Rays. This highly anticipated game saw the Brewers with an opportunity to complete a historic sweep against the Rays, aiming for their first-ever World Series championship.
Prior to his performance, NE-YO shared insights into his meticulous preparation with MLB Network, emphasizing the importance of "going over the words like a madman" to avoid any mistakes and incorporating various vocal exercises to maintain his traditional approach. He followed in the footsteps of other notable performers in this year's Fall Classic, including Mickey Guyton (game 1), Kylie Cantrall (game 2), and Carly Pearce (game 3), each setting the stage for the crucial matchups.
For the Milwaukee Brewers, this marked their first appearance in the World Series since 1982, when they were part of the American League and ultimately fell to the St. Louis Cardinals in a seven-game series. A victory in game 4 at Tropicana Field would not only secure the championship but also trigger celebratory champagne corks for the franchise. Should the Rays manage to snatch a win, game 5 would take place the following day, Wednesday, October 28, at the same venue.
This was not NE-YO's inaugural performance of the national anthem at a major sporting event. The three-time Grammy Award winner, known for hits like "So Sick," has a rich history of performing at high-profile events, including the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, the Thanksgiving Day Detroit Lions-Chicago Bears game in 2021, and the final of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament in 2023 between the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers. In July, the 47-year-old artist expanded his musical horizons with the release of his country-inspired album, "Highway 79."