Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl 2026: Why the Announcement Has America Divided

Latin-trap and reggaetón global superstar Bad Bunny has been announced as the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show. The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation confirmed the news on Sunday, stating that the three-time Grammy Award winner will perform at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

 

Bad Bunny is not new to the Super Bowl. In 2020, he appeared alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez during their halftime performance in Miami. Six years later, he returns as the sole headliner.

 

In a statement, Bad Bunny said:

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“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. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”

 

Bad Bunny’s rise to this stage comes after years of record-breaking success. His 2024 “Most Wanted Tour” grossed over $211 million in North America, while his 2022 “World’s Hottest Tour” earned $314 million, most of it in U.S. cities. In Puerto Rico, his residency generated an estimated $200 million in economic activity. He has also been the world’s most-streamed artist on Spotify and Apple Music, with multiple albums topping the Billboard charts.

 

For many observers, those numbers underscore why the NFL’s decision makes business sense. The Super Bowl halftime show is not only a cultural moment but also a commercial one, and Bad Bunny has consistently proven to be one of the most profitable artists in the world.

 

Reaction to the Super Bowl announcement has been divided. Supporters celebrated the decision as a recognition of Bad Bunny’s global influence and as a milestone for Latin music on the biggest U.S. stage. Many pointed out that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the country and described his selection as an accurate reflection of the nation’s multicultural reality.

 

One supporter wrote on X:

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“Bad Bunny is one of the biggest artists in the world. The Super Bowl is about entertainment, not politics. Millions will tune in and love it," while another added, "Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl? Iconic af."

 

Critics, however, have raised objections. Conservative commentator Benny Johnson wrote on X: 

 

“This is Bad Bunny. He was just announced as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. Massive Trump hater. Anti-ICE activist. No songs in English. He even canceled his entire U.S. tour for this reason: ‘F***ing ICE could be outside my concert. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.’ The NFL is self-destructing year after year.”

 

Others have expressed concern that the halftime show could feature primarily songs in Spanish, while some online comments have included racist or xenophobic reactions, which Teen Vogue reported on after the announcement.

 

Supporters continue to emphasize online that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, arguing that Bad Bunny represents the diversity of America.

 

Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, whose Roc Nation co-produces the halftime show, praised the selection.

 

“What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”

 

NFL executive Jon Barker added:

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“Bad Bunny represents the global energy and cultural vibrancy that define today’s music scene. As one of the most influential and streamed artists in the world, his unique ability to bridge genres, languages, and audiences makes him an exciting and natural choice to take the Super Bowl halftime stage.”

 

Oliver Schusser, Apple's Vice President of Music, Sports and Beats, shared:

 

"The Halftime Show is the ultimate celebration of music and culture, and few artists embody that intersection more perfectly and authentically than Bad Bunny. At Apple Music, we've had the privilege of working closely with Bad Bunny over the years, and watching his meteoric rise into one of the most influential artists of our time has been truly incredible. His music has not only broken records but has elevated Latin music to the center of pop culture, and we are thrilled to once again partner with the NFL and Roc Nation to deliver this historic performance to millions of fans worldwide. We know this show will be unforgettable."

 

The Super Bowl regularly draws more than 100 million viewers worldwide. With Bad Bunny as its centerpiece, the 2026 halftime show is already poised to be one of the most anticipated and closely scrutinized cultural moments of the year.