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Fact Check: Did the NFL Cancel Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Performance? Global music star remains confirmed headliner for Super Bowl LX despite intense political backlash and viral social media rumours. Since the announcement that Puerto Rican global music sensation Bad Bunny would headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, the event has become the focus of a significant cultural and political controversy. The selection has been met with both celebration for increased Latin representation and intense criticism from conservative political figures in the United States, which has rapidly spawned viral, yet unfounded, claims suggesting did-nfl-cancel-bad-bunny. The National Football League (NFL) and its partners, Apple Music and Roc Nation, have confirmed repeatedly that the claims of a cancellation are false. The artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, remains officially scheduled to perform on Sunday, 8 February 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The widespread social media campaign suggesting the league had capitulated to political pressure has forced the NFL to actively address the status of the performance months ahead of the event. The Source of the Viral Rumours The controversy ignited almost immediately following the official announcement in late September 2025. Bad Bunny, one of the world's most-streamed artists, is known for his outspoken views on politics, immigration policy, and his commitment to performing primarily in Spanish. Detractors quickly seized upon these elements, labeling the choice as "divisive" and "anti-American. " A key vector for the cancellation rumour was the false circulation of a supposed petition. Multiple unverified posts, which often used identical "BREAKING" graphics, falsely claimed that high-profile figures, including Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, had formally petitioned the NFL to remove the artist. Separately, claims emerged that a major corporate sponsor, Coca-Cola, had issued an ultimatum threatening to withdraw sponsorship over the selection.
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Fact-checking reports across multiple news organisations have definitively debunked all such formal threats and petitions, confirming their origin in low-credibility social media accounts designed for "engagement bait. " Despite the official silence from both the Cowboys and Coca-Cola, the speed and scale of the rumour’s dissemination highlighted the charged atmosphere surrounding the intersection of entertainment, sport, and American politics. Political Backlash Turns Performance into a Flashpoint The true tension point behind the cancellation rumours is the overtly political nature of the opposition to the artist. High-profile Republicans publicly voiced sharp disapproval of the NFL’s choice. Former U. S. President Donald Trump weighed in, calling the selection "absolutely ridiculous" during a broadcast appearance, claiming he had "never heard of him" and criticizing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. This was followed by commentary from figures such as former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who intensified the focus on immigration. Mr. Lewandowski, speaking on conservative media, warned of a potential presence from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the event, stating: "There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. " This statement linked the musical performance directly to federal immigration enforcement concerns, further cementing the event as a political flashpoint.
Other critics, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized the potential use of Spanish during the performance and his boundary-pushing sartorial choices, arguing the Super Bowl stage should adhere to more traditional norms. This level of political intervention is unusual for a Super Bowl Halftime Show, an event typically celebrated for its spectacle and broad appeal. NFL Stands by its Global Strategy The NFL, alongside its entertainment partner Roc Nation, has a history of navigating cultural tensions, but has remained notably firm in its backing of Bad Bunny. Jon Barker, Senior Vice President of Global Event Production for the NFL, reiterated the strategic rationale behind the choice in a statement released following the announcement. "Bad Bunny represents the global energy and cultural vibrancy that define today's music scene," Mr. Barker stated. "His unique ability to bridge genres, languages, and audiences makes him an exciting and natural choice to take the Super Bowl halftime stage. " The artist himself addressed the controversy during his hosting gig on Saturday Night Live, where he commented in Spanish that the selection was an achievement for "my people, my culture, and our history. " Switching to English, he offered a pointed response to his critics: "If you didn't understand what I just said, you have four months to learn. " According to Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a Cultural and Marketing Analyst at the University of Southern California, the NFL's decision is a calculated business move reflecting shifting demographics, regardless of the immediate controversy. "The league is looking beyond its traditional North American audience," Dr.
Rodriguez told the BBC. "Bad Bunny is consistently one of the most-streamed musicians globally. By tapping into Latin trap and reggaeton, and the artist's immense cultural footprint in Latin America and the U. S. Hispanic market, the NFL is pursuing global market expansion. The political noise, while loud, is often viewed by the league as necessary collateral for achieving that broader, more lucrative audience. " An Unforgettable Cultural Moment The sustained public scrutiny months before kickoff ensures that the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show will be far more than just a musical performance—it will be a significant cultural barometer. Despite the rumours questioning did-nfl-cancel-bad-bunny, the reality remains that the league is moving forward with an artist whose performance promises to be one of the most politically charged and culturally resonant in Super Bowl history. The NFL's choice to back Bad Bunny signals the league's continued commitment to diversity and global reach, even when that strategy places it directly into the crosshairs of America's ongoing culture wars. As the countdown to February 2026 continues, the stage is set for a performance that is guaranteed to generate immense viewing figures, and just as much debate.
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