The Super Bowl halftime show has always been one of the most-watched musical events in the United States, drawing millions of eyes not just for the football but for the entertainment spectacle at its core. But for the 2026 Super Bowl, the halftime spotlight is being fiercely contested. On one side stands the NFL’s official show, headlined by Puerto Rican superstar and Grammy winner Bad Bunny. On the other, a conservative counterprogramming effort led by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), which has rolled out its own “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The result? A cultural showdown that’s as much about identity and politics as it is about music and football.
Turning Point USA, founded by the late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, announced in October its plans to stage an alternative halftime show during Super Bowl Sunday on February 8, 2026. According to the organization, this event is designed as a “unique, patriotic event proudly celebrating American culture, freedom, and faith.” The group’s website describes the show as an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show “with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family, and freedom.” It’s a direct response to the NFL’s selection of Bad Bunny, a decision that has sparked heated debate across social media and within conservative circles since its announcement in September 2025.
Kid Rock, who will headline the TPUSA show, didn’t mince words about the competition. In a press release, he said, “We’re approaching this show like David and Goliath. Competing with the pro football machine and a global pop superstar is almost impossible … or is it?” He also referenced Bad Bunny’s plans for his own performance: “He’s said he’s having a dance party, wearing a dress, and singing in Spanish? Cool. We plan to play great songs for folks who love America.” According to USA Today and Pensacola News Journal, Kid Rock has become a prominent voice in conservative entertainment, even performing at the Republican National Convention in 2024 and publicly aligning himself with former President Donald Trump.
The performers joining Kid Rock are a who’s who of country music’s mid-level stars. Brantley Gilbert, known for hits like “Dirt Road Anthem” and “Bottoms Up,” and Lee Brice, with tracks such as “One of Them Girls” and “Rumor,” bring their Southern flair to the stage. Gabby Barrett, the only female performer announced, made waves with her breakout single “I Hope.” Together, they’re positioned to offer a musical alternative that leans into traditional American themes and values.
The All-American Halftime Show is scheduled to air live during the NFL’s Super Bowl broadcast, with most sources indicating a start time around 8 p.m. Eastern on February 8, 2026, coinciding directly with Bad Bunny’s performance. The show will be available for streaming on TPUSA’s social media channels, including YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Rumble. Additionally, it will be broadcast on a slew of partner platforms such as Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, TBN, CHARGE!, The National News Desk, NTD.com, and OAN News, ensuring that viewers across the country have multiple ways to tune in.
The roots of this cultural clash run deep. The NFL’s decision to select Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner was met with swift backlash from prominent conservative figures. President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and other Republicans called for a boycott of the NFL, criticizing the choice of a Spanish-speaking artist whose music and activism have sometimes run counter to conservative values. Trump was particularly outspoken, calling the selection “absolutely ridiculous” and even suggesting that ICE agents would be present at the Super Bowl, a thinly veiled threat toward Bad Bunny and his supporters. According to USA Today, this move came after Bad Bunny had canceled his 2025 U.S. tour out of concern that his audience might be targeted by immigration authorities.
Despite the uproar, the NFL has stood firmly by its decision. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking to The Associated Press on October 22, 2025, said that choosing Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner was “carefully thought through.” Bad Bunny, for his part, is no stranger to controversy or cultural significance. As the first Latin artist to notch 100 career hits on the Billboard Hot 100, he has become a global ambassador for Latin music and culture. He’s also been an outspoken critic of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and has used his platform to highlight issues affecting Latino communities. Born in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, Bad Bunny is an American citizen—a fact that has been repeatedly emphasized in coverage by outlets like USA Today and Pensacola News Journal.
The TPUSA show, meanwhile, aims to provide a “fun, excellent, and exciting” entertainment option for families who may feel alienated by the NFL’s official halftime offering. “We set out to provide an entertainment option that will be fun, excellent, and exciting for the entire family while millions are gathered together for the big game,” the organization said in its announcement. The event’s framing as a celebration of “faith, family, and freedom” is no accident—it’s an explicit nod to values that many conservatives feel are underrepresented in mainstream entertainment.
For viewers interested in catching the All-American Halftime Show, the process is straightforward. The show will stream live on TPUSA’s official YouTube, X, and Rumble channels. Partner platforms such as Daily Wire+, Real America’s Voice, TBN, CHARGE!, The National News Desk, NTD.com, and OAN News will also carry the broadcast, making it accessible to a wide swath of the American public. The timing is designed to coincide with the NFL’s official halftime, ensuring that viewers have a clear choice between the two competing visions of American entertainment.
As for the Super Bowl itself, the game is set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. Central Time (6:30 p.m. Eastern) on February 8, 2026, with pregame festivities starting as early as 11 a.m. Central. NBC will carry the main broadcast, but the halftime hour is shaping up to be a battleground for more than just football fans.
It’s rare to see a halftime show spark such intense debate, but the 2026 Super Bowl has become a flashpoint for broader cultural and political tensions in America. Whether viewers choose to watch Bad Bunny’s high-energy, globally-minded performance or tune in to Kid Rock and company’s patriotic alternative, one thing is clear: this year’s halftime is about much more than music. It’s a reflection of the country’s ongoing conversation about identity, belonging, and what it means to celebrate together, even when divided.