Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX Halftime Show: Key moments and cultural impact

What’s New

On February 8, 2026, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl LX halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 13-minute performance celebrated Puerto Rican culture, featuring an elaborate set designed as a sugarcane field and a traditional neighborhood (vecindad).

Key highlights included:

Guests: Lady Gaga joined for a salsa version of "Die With a Smile," and Ricky Martin performed "Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii." Other cameos included Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, and Karol G.
A live wedding: A real couple, Thomas Wolter and Eleisa Aparico, exchanged vows on stage while Bad Bunny signed their marriage certificate as a witness.
Setlist: He performed hits like "Tití Me Preguntó," "Yo Perreo Sola," and "El Apagón."
Politics: While less explicit than his recent "ICE out" Grammy speech, the show featured Puerto Rican independence flags and references to the island's power grid crisis.

Why it matters

This performance marks a significant milestone for Latino representation in US sports. Bad Bunny is the first solo Latino artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, performing almost entirely in Spanish.

Cultural visibility: The show placed specific Puerto Rican symbols—like jíbaro (farmer) attire and piragua (shaved ice) carts—on America's largest televised stage.
Audience reach: The broadcast drew an estimated 124.9 million viewers. The NFL explicitly aimed this choice to engage its growing Latino fanbase, which numbers over 70 million in the US.
Political reaction: The performance sparked debate. President Donald Trump criticized the show as "un-American," while supporters praised it as a joyful affirmation of diversity.

Background

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, rose from bagging groceries in Puerto Rico to becoming Spotify's most-streamed artist globally.

Previous appearances: He previously performed at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020 as a guest alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
The "Casita" concept: The set utilized the "casita" (little house) imagery from his recent tours, symbolizing his roots and the history of Puerto Rican migration.
Recent tensions: The show followed a week of political tension. Days prior, Bad Bunny accepted a Grammy Award with a speech criticizing immigration policies, which heightened scrutiny on his Super Bowl set.

What we don’t know

FCC complaints: While some conservative lawmakers called for investigations into "indecent" content, it is unclear if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will receive a significant volume of consumer complaints or take any action.
Long-term NFL strategy: It remains to be seen if the NFL will continue booking non-English-dominant headliners for future games.

What’s next

Chart impact: Streaming numbers for Bad Bunny’s catalog, particularly the performed songs, are expected to spike in the coming week.
Tour announcements: Due to high demand following the Super Bowl, he added new dates at the Paris La Défense Arena for July 2026.