On February 8, 2026, the world watched as Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny took center stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. With a dazzling blend of music, culture, and activism, the performance quickly became one of the most talked-about halftime shows in Super Bowl history, drawing in a global audience and igniting conversations far beyond the football field.
From the outset, expectations were sky-high. The Super Bowl halftime show is, after all, one of the biggest spectacles on earth, routinely drawing over 100 million viewers in the United States alone, with millions more tuning in from around the globe. Following in the footsteps of icons like Prince, Madonna, Beyoncé, and most recently Rihanna, Usher, and Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny’s selection as headliner was both a nod to his meteoric rise and a celebration of Hispanic culture at a pivotal moment in American society.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is no stranger to breaking records. According to Apple Music, he was the most streamed artist on Spotify between 2020 and 2022, and again in 2025. His 2025 Grammy win for Album of the Year with DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS marked him as the first artist to take home the honor for an album sung primarily in Spanish—a milestone that resonated with millions of fans worldwide.
The anticipation leading up to the show was palpable. Apple Music reported that after the official Halftime Show trailer dropped on January 16, plays of Bad Bunny’s hit "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" surged by 54 percent in the U.S. and 36 percent globally. The song’s popularity soared in non-Spanish-speaking countries as well, with Canada, the UK, and Brazil seeing notable increases. Lyrics views for "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" jumped by 119 percent in the U.S. alone, and the track rocketed to No. 1 on the U.S. Latin chart, breaking into the top 10 in nine U.S. cities. The excitement was palpable in cities like Mexico City, New York, Los Angeles, Lima, Chicago, and Houston, where Bad Bunny’s fan base is especially fervent.
When the big night arrived, Bad Bunny delivered a show that was as visually stunning as it was musically diverse. The setlist read like a greatest hits album, with songs such as "Tití Me Preguntó," "Yo Perreo Sola," "DtMF," "BAILE INoLVIDABLE," "NUEVAYoL," and "Die With A Smile" (performed with Lady Gaga in a surprise salsa version). Ricky Martin joined for a high-energy guest spot, while Pedro Pascal appeared as a backup dancer. The star-studded stage was further electrified by the presence of Cardi B, Alix Earle, Jessica Alba, and Karol G, all dancing alongside the six-time Grammy winner.
But it wasn’t just about music. Bad Bunny used the global platform to celebrate his Puerto Rican roots and shine a light on Hispanic culture. The opening moments transported viewers to a typical Puerto Rican neighborhood, complete with boxers and scenes of everyday life. As he performed "NUEVAYoL," a tribute to Latin immigrants in New York, the message was clear: this was a celebration for and by the Hispanic community.
Powerful symbolism ran throughout the show. Professional boxers Xander Zayas and Emiliano Vargas staged a playful match as Bad Bunny ducked between their punches. A group of older gentlemen played dominos—a nod to Latino traditions—while, in a touching moment, Bad Bunny handed his Grammy to a small child watching his acceptance speech on TV. Some speculated that the child represented Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old Hispanic child recently detained by ICE, while others saw it as Bad Bunny himself as a child. Either way, the gesture resonated deeply with viewers, highlighting the challenges faced by Hispanic families in the U.S.
The show’s climax was both heartfelt and political. As Hispanic backup performers marched behind Bad Bunny, each carrying flags from Central and South American nations, he delivered his final message: "The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate is Love." Holding up a football inscribed with "Together, we are America," he made a pointed statement about unity and inclusion—a clear response to the U.S. government’s recent targeting of Spanish-speaking immigrants and increased ICE raids. According to Fox Sports, this was a direct message against policies that have disproportionately affected Hispanic communities.
The performance even included a real-life wedding, as a man proposed to his partner during the show—having been handed the ring by Bad Bunny himself. NBC News’ Rohan Nadkarni confirmed the wedding was legitimate, with the couple inviting Bad Bunny to their ceremony only for him to invite them to marry during his groundbreaking halftime set. It was a moment of joy and spontaneity that captured the spirit of the night.
The impact of Bad Bunny’s performance was immediate and overwhelming. Apple Music reported that listens to his music spiked sevenfold right after the show, with "DtMF," "BAILE INoLVIDABLE," and "Tití Me Preguntó" topping the charts. Shazam recognitions for his tracks in the U.S. rose 8 percent in January 2026 compared to December 2025, and monthly radio spins reached their highest point since June 2025, with a 13 percent increase over the previous six months. Since being announced as the halftime headliner, Bad Bunny’s lyrics became the most viewed on Shazam among non-English-language artists, with the U.S. leading the way.
The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Press Conference with Bad Bunny also broke records, becoming the most watched in Super Bowl history with more than 63 million views within the first 48 hours. The global engagement was unprecedented, cementing Bad Bunny’s place as a cultural force.
Of course, the show was not without controversy. In a politically divided America, Bad Bunny’s outspoken criticism of ICE and his advocacy for immigrant rights drew both praise and backlash. Former President Donald Trump publicly criticized the choice of Bad Bunny as headliner, saying, “I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred.” Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the decision, stating, “Bad Bunny is one of the greatest artists in the world. It’s one of the reasons we chose him … He understood the platform he was on.” According to Fox Sports, alternative halftime programming led by Kid Rock was promoted by right-wing personalities, while some, like YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, encouraged fans to boycott the show.
Yet, for many, the night was about joy, music, and cultural pride. As Bad Bunny told Apple Music, “People only have to worry about dancing. I know I told people they had a month to learn Spanish, but they don’t even need to do that! It’s better that they learn to dance. There’s no better dance than the one that comes from the heart.”
With his electrifying Super Bowl performance, Bad Bunny not only entertained millions but also sparked meaningful conversations about identity, unity, and the power of love over hate. For a few unforgettable minutes, the world danced together—reminded that, sometimes, music really can change the game.