Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
After months of speculation, the performer for Super Bowl LX has been officially announced, sparking excitement among many fans and some disappointment from others. The National Football League (NFL), Roc Nation, and Apple Music revealed on Sunday, September 28, that Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show. This announcement comes as a surprise to some, especially those who had hoped that a local artist would take the stage.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is set to bring his Latin beats to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026. His performance is expected to draw a massive audience, given his global fanbase and immense popularity.
Earlier this year, there were rumors that George Strait, a well-known country singer from Texas, might be the headliner. However, these claims were quickly debunked after an AI-generated social media post falsely suggested that he would be performing. The post gained traction, but it was later revealed that no official NFL announcement had been made at the time.
Bad Bunny's rise to fame has been nothing short of impressive. With hits like "Pa Ti" (2017) and "I Like It" (2018), he has amassed 77.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. In 2022, he brought over 50,000 fans to San Antonio's Alamodome, setting a record that wasn't broken until The Weeknd's 2025 show. His performances have consistently drawn large crowds and generated significant revenue.
Despite his success, Bad Bunny recently announced that his latest tour, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, won't include any U.S. dates. He explained that one reason for this decision was the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) being present at shows. This comment came during a time of heightened concern regarding immigration policies in the U.S., with a Supreme Court ruling lifting restrictions that previously limited ICE's ability to target individuals based on race, language, or location.
Fans who were disappointed by the absence of U.S. dates were able to watch a livestream of Bad Bunny's last residency show on Amazon. The event broke viewership records for a single-artist performance, according to Rolling Stone.
The announcement of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance sparked a range of reactions on social media. Some fans felt that his decision to perform contradicted his previous statements about avoiding U.S. tours. Others argued that his participation was a powerful statement, highlighting the presence of a Latino artist at one of the most-watched events in the U.S.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also expressed support for Bad Bunny's appearance. While details of the performance remain undisclosed, Apple Vice President of Music, Sports, and Beats Oliver Schusser praised Bad Bunny's impact and influence. "The Halftime Show is the ultimate celebration of music and culture, and few artists embody that intersection more perfectly and authentically than Bad Bunny," Schusser said in a statement.
Bad Bunny is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage. He previously performed as a guest at the 2020 Super Bowl in Miami when Shakira and Jennifer Lopez were the headliners. For this upcoming performance, he has made it clear that it will honor those who came before him. "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," he said. "Ve y dile a tu abuela que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL."
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