Bad Bunny’s Historic Performance at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show

On a night filled with anticipation and excitement, celebrated Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny graced the stage for the halftime show of the 2026 Super Bowl. The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks clashed once again in a thrilling rematch of Super Bowl XLIX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

This year’s halftime extravaganza was a vibrant celebration of culture and musical prowess, highlighted by surprise appearances from iconic artists like Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. The stage also hosted rap sensation Cardi B, linked to the game through her partner Stefon Diggs, who played for the Patriots, and popular actor Pedro Pascal.

“It’s going to be a huge party,” remarked Bad Bunny before his performance. “I want to bring to the stage, of course, a lot of my culture. But I really don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s going to be fun.”

Halftime Show Highlights

The NFL, along with Apple Music and Roc Nation, previously announced Bad Bunny as the headline performer in September. The 31-year-old superstar, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was freshly adorned with accolades from the Grammy Awards, clinching both the Best Música Urbana Album and Album of the Year awards for his all-Spanish record, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.” This noteworthy achievement marked the first instance of a Spanish-language album winning such a prestigious honor.

During his pre-show remarks, Bad Bunny expressed mixed emotions, saying, “To be honest, I don’t know how I’m feeling. There’s a lot. I’m still in the middle of my tour. I was just at the Grammys last week. All of that.” He also shared his excitement, stating that he was more thrilled for the people around him, his family, and his supporters.

Backlash and Support

Bad Bunny’s selection as the halftime show headliner didn’t come without some controversy. His performance marked the first time a native Spanish speaker led the Super Bowl halftime show, drawing some criticism, including from former President Trump. Critiques were heightened further following Bad Bunny’s “ICE out” remark during a Grammy acceptance speech.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stood by the decision, emphasizing Bad Bunny’s status as one of the world’s most popular entertainers. “It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching,” Goodell noted, asserting that Bad Bunny’s talents and understanding of the platform’s unifying potential justified his selection.

National Anthem and Other Performances

At the 2026 Super Bowl, renowned singer Charlie Puth had the honor of singing the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a piece he has praised for its beauty and complexity. A diverse lineup of artists complemented the evening’s main events:

• Green Day – Kicked off the ceremony with their punk rock performance.
• Brandi Carlile – Delivered a stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
• Coco Jones – Performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often regarded as the Black national anthem.
• Special surprise guests during the halftime show included Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and Karol G.

The unforgettable lineup and appearances created an electrifying atmosphere, ensuring the 2026 Super Bowl will be remembered not just for the game but for the incredible musical celebration it showcased.