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Global Star Confirmed: Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
The announcement has confirmed the answer to the frequent question, is-bad-bunny-playing-at-the-super-bowl, but the selection of the Puerto Rican artist has ignited a significant debate over language and cultural identity in American sports broadcasting. The National Football League (NFL), in partnership with Apple Music and Roc Nation, has formally announced that Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show in February 2026. The confirmation elevates the reggaeton and Latin trap artist, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, to one of the world's most visible cultural stages, cementing the NFL's commitment to reaching a truly global audience. Scheduled to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the highly anticipated performance will follow last year’s critically acclaimed show by Kendrick Lamar. However, unlike previous announcements, the selection of Bad Bunny—an artist whose catalogue is almost exclusively performed in Spanish—has been immediately followed by intense political scrutiny and debate across US media. A Watershed Moment for Latin Music The choice of Bad Bunny is seen by many in the music industry as inevitable, given his unparalleled global dominance. For the past four years, the artist has consistently ranked as one of the world’s most-streamed musicians across major platforms. His albums, including the Latin Grammy Award-winning Un Verano Sin Ti, have repeatedly broken records, pushing Latin music into the absolute centre of the global pop lexicon. This will not be the first time the artist has graced the Super Bowl stage; he made a guest appearance during the 2020 Halftime Show led by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.
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However, his new role as the sole headline act marks a major step forward for Spanish-language music in an event historically reserved for English-speaking rock or pop icons. In an official statement released by the NFL, Martínez Ocasio expressed the gravity of the achievement for his community. “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,” he was quoted as saying. Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, founder of Roc Nation, which co-produces the event, echoed this sentiment, stating: “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honoured to have him on the world’s biggest stage. ” Political and Cultural Backlash Despite the commercial logic of choosing a world-conquering artist, the announcement has triggered a wave of criticism from conservative commentators and political figures who argue the Halftime Show should feature a performer who sings primarily in English. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was among those who publicly criticised the decision, stating on social media that the inclusion of a Spanish-language performance on a major national broadcast was “divisive” and “unwanted.
” Similarly, conservative news pundits have questioned the cultural fit, arguing the choice was designed to send a "woke message" rather than simply entertain. During a recent appearance on the Greg Kelly Reports podcast, former Trump administration Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem was quoted as saying, regarding the upcoming event: “I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country,” adding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials would have a visible presence at the stadium. This comment has been widely interpreted as a political jab aimed directly at the Puerto Rican star, who has previously been critical of US immigration policies. The Business of Global Reach From a business perspective, the NFL's decision is strategically sound. The Super Bowl aims not only for domestic television ratings but also for international growth, particularly in Latin America, where the sport's popularity is rapidly increasing. “The Halftime Show is no longer just a break in an American sporting event; it is a global cultural spectacle,” said Maria Hernandez, a sports marketing analyst with Stratagem Consulting. “The NFL is following Apple Music’s lead, prioritising relevance over tradition. Bad Bunny brings an audience that has never engaged with the NFL before—millions of young, digitally-native fans across Latin America and Europe.
You cannot achieve that level of international exposure by only relying on legacy American rock acts. The performance will be a massive revenue driver for the league’s global initiatives, regardless of the domestic political noise. ” The artist himself has addressed the backlash with humour and defiance. While hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, Martínez Ocasio responded directly to the debate over language. After delivering a message in Spanish celebrating the achievement for the Latino community, he looked directly into the camera and quipped: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn. ” Outlook Bad Bunny’s performance on 8 February 2026 is poised to be one of the most culturally significant and politically charged Halftime Shows in the event’s 60-year history. While the controversy surrounding the language and political views of the artist has dominated recent headlines, the show is virtually guaranteed to draw historic viewership, following the record set by Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX show. As the NFL season progresses, all eyes will turn to Santa Clara to see how Bad Bunny and his production team—led by Roc Nation, Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins, and director Hamish Hamilton—will use the 13-minute spectacle to balance musical celebration with cultural commentary on the world’s largest single stage. The only details that remain under official wraps are the identities of any potential surprise guest performers who may join the global headliner.
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