2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show – Bad Bunny Makes History
Bad Bunny delivered a landmark performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, becoming the first Latino solo artist to headline the event. The Puerto Rican superstar took the stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, presenting a set conducted almost entirely in Spanish—a first for the NFL’s marquee spectacle.
The NFL officially announced Bad Bunny as the headliner on September 28, 2025, ending months of speculation that had linked Taylor Swift, Adele, and Miley Cyrus to the coveted slot. The 13-minute performance, produced by Roc Nation in partnership with Apple Music, featured guest appearances from Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Los Pleneros de la Cresta, alongside surprise cameos by Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and Karol G.
At 31 years old, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio joined an elite roster of performers while achieving several historic milestones for Latin music representation on global stages.
Who Will Perform at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl LX halftime show, marking a decisive shift toward Spanish-language dominance in the NFL’s premier entertainment slot. The Grammy-winning artist brought his reggaeton and Latin trap repertoire to an audience of millions, backed by a production that emphasized Puerto Rican cultural elements.
Key Takeaways
- Bad Bunny was announced as the performer on September 28, 2025, through a partnership between the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation.
- The performance marked the first time a Latino solo artist headlined the Super Bowl halftime show.
- Ricky Martin became the first openly gay male performer to appear during a Super Bowl halftime show.
- The set list featured predominantly Spanish-language music, another historic first for the event.
- Guest performers included established stars Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, alongside traditional Puerto Rican music group Los Pleneros de la Cresta.
- Surprise appearances added star power from Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and Karol G.
- The show occurred during the championship game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
Event Snapshot
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl Number | LX |
| Date | February 8, 2026 |
| Venue | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California |
| Headliner | Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) |
| Producer | Roc Nation |
| Sponsor | Apple Music |
| Halftime Duration | Approximately 13 minutes |
| Announcement Date | September 28, 2025 |
| Primary Language | Spanish |
| Age at Performance | 31 years old |
| Historic Distinction | First Latino solo headliner |
2026 Super Bowl Date, Location and Venue Details
Super Bowl LX took place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium, marking the second time the San Francisco 49ers’ home facility hosted the championship. The Santa Clara, California venue provided seating for approximately 70,000 spectators, with the kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM ET and halftime commencing around 8:00 PM EST.
Stadium Specifications
Levi’s Stadium, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, features state-of-the-art facilities including enhanced Wi-Fi infrastructure and sustainable design elements. The venue previously hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016, establishing its credentials for managing high-profile entertainment productions alongside championship football.
The halftime show began promptly at approximately 8:00 PM EST following the second quarter. Bad Bunny had won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”—the first all-Spanish-language album to receive this honor—just days before taking the stage, adding significant momentum to his headline appearance.
Pre-Game Ceremonies
The pregame entertainment lineup featured Charlie Puth performing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Brandi Carlile singing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones delivering “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” These performances set the tone for an evening emphasizing diverse musical representation.
Who Produces and Selects Super Bowl Halftime Shows?
Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by Jay-Z, has held responsibility for selecting and producing the Super Bowl halftime show since 2019. The partnership with the NFL shifted the selection process toward securing globally recognized talent capable of delivering stadium-scale theatrical productions.
The Selection Timeline
Prior to the September 2025 announcement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hinted that Taylor Swift might potentially perform, fueling widespread media speculation. However, Roc Nation ultimately selected Bad Bunny, reflecting the company’s strategy of balancing commercial appeal with cultural breakthrough moments.
Roc Nation evaluates performers based on global streaming metrics, stadium touring experience, and cultural impact. Bad Bunny’s status as Spotify’s most-streamed artist and his three Grammy Awards positioned him as a compelling choice for the 2026 showcase, despite earlier rumors suggesting pop or rock alternatives.
Production Partnership
Apple Music served as the title sponsor for the halftime show, continuing its multi-year agreement with the NFL. The collaboration provides streaming integration and exclusive backstage content, while Roc Nation manages the creative direction and talent booking.
History of Super Bowl Halftime Performances
The Super Bowl halftime show has evolved from university marching bands and drill teams in the 1960s to the spectacle of global superstar performances that define modern broadcasts. Early iterations featured local musicians and themed productions until Michael Jackson’s 1993 appearance established the template for A-list headliners.
Recent Performers
The previous decade saw increasingly diverse genres represented, from hip-hop collectives to Latin pop fusion. Kendrick Lamar headlined in 2025, accompanied by SZA and surprise appearances from Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams. Usher led the 2024 show with Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, and Lil Jon, while Rihanna performed in 2023 while pregnant.
Ricky Martin’s guest appearance marked him as the first openly gay male artist to perform during a Super Bowl halftime show. This distinction highlighted the ongoing expansion of LGBTQ+ visibility within the NFL’s entertainment programming, occurring alongside Bad Bunny’s breakthrough for Latino solo artists.
Cultural Impact
Bad Bunny’s 2026 performance continued the trend toward linguistic diversity, following Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 headlining act where Bad Bunny himself appeared as a guest. The progression from bilingual performances to a predominantly Spanish setlist reflects shifting demographics and the NFL’s recognition of Latin music’s commercial dominance.
Timeline of Super Bowl Halftime Announcements
The NFL typically announces halftime performers three to six months before the championship game, though timelines vary based on talent availability and contract negotiations.
- September 28, 2025: NFL confirms Bad Bunny for Super Bowl LX, announcing the historic selection.
- September 8, 2024: Kendrick Lamar announced for Super Bowl LIX, with the reveal coming unusually early.
- November 2023: Usher confirmed for the 2024 halftime show, allowing extended preparation for his Las Vegas residency-influenced production.
- September 2022: Rihanna announced for the 2023 show, marking her return to live performance after a seven-year hiatus.
- February 2022: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar perform in the first halftime show centered on West Coast hip-hop.
- November 2019: Roc Nation partnership with NFL announced, establishing the modern selection process.
Announcement Status: Confirmed Facts vs. Rumors
During the months preceding the official announcement, media speculation generated numerous unverified reports about potential headliners. The following table distinguishes between confirmed details and speculation that proved inaccurate. Bad Bunny made history at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, as you can see Bad Bunny canta en español.
| Established Information | Unclear or Disproved Speculation |
|---|---|
| Bad Bunny headlined the performance | Taylor Swift was rumored to perform based on Commissioner Goodell’s hints, but did not appear |
| Lady Gaga appeared as a confirmed guest | Adele was rumored as a potential headliner but was not booked |
| Ricky Martin performed and made LGBTQ+ history | Miley Cyrus was speculated but not involved in the final production |
| Cardi B appeared as a surprise guest | Specific setlists were leaked online but unverified before the event |
| The show ran approximately 13 minutes | Exact viewership numbers were pending final Nielsen ratings at time of reporting |
Context: Evolution and Cultural Impact
The 2026 halftime show represented a culmination of the NFL’s strategic pivot toward diverse entertainment offerings initiated with the Roc Nation partnership. By selecting Bad Bunny, the league acknowledged the commercial supremacy of Latin music, which has dominated global streaming charts throughout the mid-2020s.
The performance’s emphasis on Spanish-language content signaled a departure from previous acts that typically incorporated Spanish elements as secondary features. Bad Bunny’s 17 Latin Grammy Awards and recent Grammy wins provided institutional validation for the selection, while his youth—at 31—positioned the NFL to attract demographics distinct from legacy rock acts.
Guest appearances from established stars like Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin created intergenerational appeal, bridging Latin pop’s 1990s explosion with contemporary reggaeton. The inclusion of Pedro Pascal and Jessica Alba further emphasized the cultural moment, uniting music and film representation for Latino artists in American mainstream media.
Official Statements and Sources
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the selection process in September 2025, acknowledging the speculation surrounding Taylor Swift while ultimately confirming the league’s confidence in Bad Bunny’s ability to deliver a universally compelling performance.
The selection of Bad Bunny reflects our commitment to showcasing artists who represent the diverse fabric of our fanbase. This performance will resonate with audiences worldwide while honoring the cultural contributions of Latino communities.
— NFL Official Statement, September 2025
Sources close to the production confirmed that Roc Nation began negotiations with Bad Bunny’s representatives six months prior to the public announcement, ensuring sufficient preparation time for the stadium-scale production.
What’s Next for Super Bowl Halftime Shows
With Bad Bunny’s historic performance complete, attention now shifts to Super Bowl LXI and the continued evolution of halftime entertainment. The success of Spanish-language programming likely influences future selections, while Roc Nation’s curation maintains its focus on artists capable of commanding global stadium audiences. For comprehensive coverage of this landmark performance, see our detailed analysis: Bad Bunny Super Bowl 2026 – Halftime Show Details and Impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who performed the national anthem at Super Bowl LX?
Charlie Puth sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Brandi Carlile performed “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones delivered “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the pregame ceremonies.
What made Bad Bunny’s halftime show historic?
Bad Bunny became the first Latino solo artist to headline, and the first to perform predominantly in Spanish. At 31, he ranked among the youngest headliners in Super Bowl history.
Who were the surprise guests during the performance?
Beyond announced guests Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and Karol G made unannounced appearances during the set.
How can I watch the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show replay?
Apple Music holds streaming rights to the performance, offering replay options through their platform and NFL Network broadcasts.
Who is Roc Nation and why do they select performers?
Roc Nation is Jay-Z’s entertainment company. Since 2019, they have partnered with the NFL to curate halftime entertainment, leveraging industry expertise to book globally relevant artists.
Where can I find more information on upcoming entertainment events?
For details on highly anticipated television releases, check our coverage of the Last of Us Season 3 – Release Date, Cast and Plot Details.
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