Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is set to make history as the headline performer for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, marking a major milestone for Latin music and culture on one of the world’s most-watched stages. The announcement, made jointly by the National Football League, Apple Music, and Roc Nation during halftime of Sunday night’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, has sent ripples of excitement through fans and the music industry alike. The event will take place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, promising a spectacle that blends Bad Bunny’s chart-topping hits and vibrant cultural roots with the grandeur of American football’s biggest night.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is no stranger to breaking records and shattering expectations. At just 31, he has topped Spotify’s most-streamed artist list in three of the past five years, and in 2022, his album Un Verano Sin Ti became the first all-Spanish language album to reach number one in the United States. According to BBC, the Puerto Rican pop star will have less than 15 minutes to squeeze in his biggest hits during the halftime show, which routinely draws a TV audience in the hundreds of millions. Last year, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance was watched by a record 127 million viewers in the US alone, setting the bar high for Bad Bunny’s upcoming set.
In a statement released by the NFL and quoted by NPR, Bad Bunny reflected on the significance of this opportunity: “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown. This is for my people, my culture, and our history.” Shifting into Spanish, he added, “Go tell your grandma we’re going to be the Super Bowl halftime show,” a line that resonated powerfully with his fans and underscored the generational impact of his achievement.
Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation company is responsible for selecting and producing the halftime show, praised Bad Bunny’s influence, saying, “What Bad Bunny has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honoured to have him on the world’s biggest stage.” The selection of Bad Bunny follows a string of high-profile halftime performers in recent years, including Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Rihanna, and The Weeknd, each adding their own unique flavor to the annual spectacle.
But Bad Bunny’s journey to the Super Bowl stage hasn’t been without its complications. Despite his immense popularity in the United States, he notably excluded US dates from his current world tour, citing concerns about the safety of his fans. In an interview with i-D magazine, he explained, “There were many reasons why I didn’t show up in the US, and none of them were out of hate—I’ve performed there many times. All of [the shows] have been successful. All of them have been magnificent. I’ve enjoyed connecting with Latinos who have been living in the US. But there was the issue of... ICE could be outside [my concerts]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
His decision to avoid US venues until the Super Bowl underscores the complex relationship many Latin artists have with immigration enforcement in America. Bad Bunny’s willingness to speak openly about these concerns has only strengthened his connection to fans who share similar anxieties or experiences. As BBC notes, his upcoming appearance at the Super Bowl is seen by many as a triumphant return to US soil, albeit for a single, spectacular night.
Bad Bunny’s rise to global stardom has been meteoric. Earlier this month, he concluded a residency in his native Puerto Rico that drew more than 500,000 fans, a testament to his enduring appeal at home. His 2025-2026 world tour is set to begin in the Dominican Republic this November before traveling across Central and South America, Australia, Japan, and Europe, with two highly anticipated nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London next summer. His latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos), was released earlier this year, adding to a discography that has already won him three Grammy Awards and the distinction of being the leading nominee at the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards.
Beyond music, Bad Bunny has proven himself a versatile entertainer. He’s appeared in films such as Bullet Train and the recent Happy Gilmore 2, and he’s set to return as host of Saturday Night Live for a second time next month. His multifaceted career reflects a new era for Latin artists, who are increasingly finding success across different entertainment platforms.
The Super Bowl halftime show is more than just a concert; it’s a cultural event that often reflects broader social trends and shifts. Bad Bunny’s selection is widely seen as a recognition of the growing influence of Latin music and culture in the United States. With a fan base that stretches from San Juan to Los Angeles and beyond, his performance is expected to celebrate the diversity and vitality of the Latin community. As NPR points out, the announcement comes on the heels of his record-setting residency in Puerto Rico and just before he’s scheduled to host the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, further cementing his status as a cross-cultural phenomenon.
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, nestled in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, will provide a fitting backdrop for Bad Bunny’s historic performance. The stadium has hosted major sporting and entertainment events before, but few will match the anticipation surrounding this year’s halftime show. For many fans—especially those in the Latin community—Bad Bunny’s appearance is about more than music; it’s about visibility, pride, and the celebration of heritage on a stage that rarely spotlights Spanish-language artists.
As the countdown to Super Bowl 60 begins, speculation is already swirling about what surprises Bad Bunny might have in store. Will he bring out special guests? Will he use his platform to make a statement about issues close to his heart? Whatever the case, one thing is certain: millions will be watching as Bad Bunny takes the world’s biggest stage, representing not just himself but an entire culture and history.
With less than five months to go, fans and industry insiders alike are bracing for what promises to be a halftime show for the ages—one that could redefine the boundaries of pop music and cultural celebration in America.
