Bad Bunny made history as the headliner of the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican superstar became the first native Spanish speaker to headline the show, joined by special guests Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
This groundbreaking performance marked a watershed moment for Latin music on America’s biggest stage, drawing record viewership and sparking important conversations about cultural representation in mainstream entertainment.
Bad Bunny Headlines Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, brought his unique reggaeton and Latin trap sound to Super Bowl LX as the main attraction. At 31 years old, he’s already earned three Grammy Awards, including the historic Album of the Year win for his all-Spanish album “Un Verano Sin Ti”—the first Spanish-language album to claim that honor.
As the most-streamed artist globally on Spotify for three consecutive years, his selection was both strategic and groundbreaking.
The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation jointly announced Bad Bunny’s headlining role in late 2025. His vision was clear from the start: showcase Puerto Rican culture, reggaeton’s global influence, and perform primarily in Spanish on the world’s biggest entertainment platform. This decision represented a significant shift for the NFL, acknowledging the growing influence of Latin music in American pop culture.
The cultural significance cannot be overstated. While Latin artists had appeared as guest performers before, Bad Bunny’s role as the main act demonstrated how thoroughly Latin music has permeated mainstream American entertainment. His performance included Puerto Rican Sign Language interpreters, ensuring accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Special Guests Who Joined Bad Bunny on Stage
Lady Gaga made her third Super Bowl appearance, this time performing “Die With A Smile” during Bad Bunny’s set. Her previous appearances included Super Bowl 50 (singing the national anthem) and her acclaimed 2017 halftime performance. Ricky Martin, a fellow Puerto Rican icon, joined for “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” creating an electric moment celebrating Puerto Rico’s musical legacy.
Other surprise guests included Cardi B, who shares Dominican and Trinidadian heritage, and actor Pedro Pascal, who introduced segments celebrating Latin culture. Karol G and Jessica Alba also made brief appearances, each adding star power to the already spectacular show.
Notably, this wasn’t Bad Bunny’s first Super Bowl rodeo. He appeared during the 2020 halftime show alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, performing “I Like It” and “Callaíta.” That experience helped prepare him for the pressure and scale of headlining six years later.
Complete List of 2026 Super Bowl Performers
Halftime Show:
- Bad Bunny (headliner)
- Lady Gaga (guest)
- Ricky Martin (guest)
- Cardi B (surprise appearance)
- Karol G (surprise appearance)
Pre-Game Ceremonies:
- National Anthem: Charlie Puth (Grammy-nominated pop artist)
- America the Beautiful: Brandi Carlile (11-time Grammy winner)
- Lift Every Voice and Sing: Coco Jones (Grammy winner, R&B sensation)
Opening Ceremony:
- Green Day (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees)
Each performer brought their own unique energy to Super Bowl LX, but the halftime show remained the centerpiece of entertainment throughout the day.
Recent Super Bowl Halftime Performers (2020-2025)
- 2025: Kendrick Lamar headlined Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans with SZA, delivering the most-watched halftime show ever with 135 million viewers. His performance showcased West Coast hip-hop and addressed social justice themes.
- 2024: Usher commanded the stage in Las Vegas at Super Bowl LVIII, celebrating 30 years in music with hits spanning his entire career, including surprise appearances by Alicia Keys and Lil Jon.
- 2023: Rihanna returned from a seven-year musical hiatus at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona, performing while visibly pregnant with her second child—a moment that became instant pop culture history.
- 2022: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige united for a legendary hip-hop showcase at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, celebrating the genre’s cultural dominance.
- 2021: The Weeknd performed at Super Bowl LV in Tampa amid COVID-19 restrictions, delivering a critically acclaimed performance with a reported $7 million investment of his own money into production.
- 2020: Shakira and Jennifer Lopez co-headlined at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with Bad Bunny and J Balvin as guests, creating the most Latin-influenced halftime show to that point.
Why Bad Bunny’s Performance Was Historic
Bad Bunny’s 2026 halftime show represented a cultural milestone—the first time a primarily Spanish-language performance headlined the Super Bowl. While previous shows featured Spanish lyrics in segments, this performance centered Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap as the main attraction.
The announcement sparked some controversy on social media, with critics questioning whether a Spanish-language artist should headline America’s biggest sporting event. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the decision, stating, “Bad Bunny represents where music and culture are today. The Super Bowl halftime show should reflect America’s diversity and the music that unites us all.”
The performance came on the heels of Bad Bunny’s Grammy dominance, riding unprecedented momentum in his career. His inclusion of Puerto Rican Sign Language interpreters set a new standard for accessibility in Super Bowl performances. Post-show, his streaming numbers surged 400%, and three of his albums re-entered the Billboard 200.
The viewership numbers told the real story: 142 million people watched, making it the second most-watched halftime show ever, trailing only Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 performance by a narrow margin.
How Super Bowl Halftime Shows Evolved
Before 1993, Super Bowl halftime shows featured marching bands, drill teams, and themed presentations that struggled to retain television audiences. Everything changed when Michael Jackson performed at Super Bowl XXVII, attracting 133.4 million viewers and proving that major artists could drive engagement.
Since then, halftime shows have evolved into pop culture spectacles with elaborate staging, pyrotechnics, and surprise guests. Artists don’t receive payment for performing, but the exposure is invaluable—streaming and sales typically spike 400-1000% in the days following performances.
Today, being selected as the Super Bowl halftime performer ranks among music’s highest honors, alongside Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The show provides an unmatched platform reaching over 100 million viewers globally.
Conclusion
Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl LX halftime performance marked a defining moment in entertainment history—the first Spanish-language headliner on America’s biggest stage.
With Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin joining him, the show celebrated Latin music’s undeniable influence while the New England Patriots faced the Seattle Seahawks for the championship. This performance opened doors for future artists and proved that cultural representation matters on the world’s largest platforms.
What did you think of Bad Bunny’s historic halftime show?
Quick Questions & Answers
Who headlined the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show?
Bad Bunny headlined Super Bowl LX, making history as the first native Spanish speaker to headline the iconic halftime show.
Where was the 2026 Super Bowl held?
Super Bowl LX took place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8, 2026.
Who were the special guests during Bad Bunny’s performance?
The halftime show featured major appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, along with surprise performances by Cardi B, Karol G, and others.
Who sang the national anthem at Super Bowl LX?
Charlie Puth performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LX in 2026.
Why was Bad Bunny’s halftime show considered historic?
The halftime performance at Super Bowl LX was historic because it marked the first time an artist performing primarily in Spanish headlined the show, representing a major milestone for Latin music on one of the world’s biggest stages.
