Bad Bunny to perform at Super Bowl LX halftime

Bad Bunny Set to Headline Super Bowl LX Halftime Show: A Cultural Moment in the Making

Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny — born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — has been officially announced as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The announcement came during halftime of a high-profile “Sunday Night Football” game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. The partnership behind this moment combines the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation — key players who are co-producing what many expect to be a groundbreaking halftime performance. Yahoo Sports+3AP News+3Variety+3

For Bad Bunny, this is more than just a musical milestone. It’s a chance to bring his voice, heritage, and identity onto one of the largest live platforms in entertainment. In his statement, he emphasized that the performance is “for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown.” He dedicated the show to his people, his culture, and his history, adding poignantly, “Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.” Pitchfork+2AP News+2

Why Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny’s selection as the halftime artist is notable for many reasons. He’s won multiple Grammy Awards, as well as numerous accolades in Latin music. His career has been marked by breaking linguistic and cultural barriers, topping streaming charts worldwide, and redefining what music in Spanish means on the global stage. Recent projects include his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which reinforces his Puerto Rican roots and reflects personal and collective identity. Pitchfork+2AP News+2

A key consideration was also the enormous popularity he holds — not just in Latin America but globally. He is one of the most streamed artists in the world. His live performances have drawn massive crowds, including a large residency in Puerto Rico. Critics and fans alike see his energy, creative style, visual ambition, and stage presence as well suited to the Super Bowl’s high expectations. ESPN.com+3AP News+3CBSSports.com+3

The Show & Production

The halftime show will be formally titled the “Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.” The production team includes Roc Nation, Jesse Collins as co-executive producer, and direction by Hamish Hamilton. The NFL’s senior vice president of Global Event Production praised Bad Bunny’s “widespread influence and appeal across cultures and languages,” signaling expectations for a dynamic, imaginative production that appeals to both traditional U.S. football audiences and global, multilingual fans. ESPN.com+3Reuters+3Pitchfork+3

Levi’s Stadium has been chosen as the venue; it previously hosted Super Bowl 50. The selection of Santa Clara ties into the NFL’s pattern of hosting in major markets, and the venue promises to handle the grandeur and logistical scale of a major production. Pitchfork+1

Expectations & Cultural Impact

With Bad Bunny leading the halftime show, observers are expecting performances that blend theatrical spectacle with cultural authenticity. He has shown in past projects that he favors ambitious stage design, fashion, choreography, and visual storytelling. Many fans hope he will bring elements of Puerto Rican culture — whether through language, dance, motifs, or narrative — giving them center stage in a massive U.S. broadcast. AP News+1

This announcement also carries significance beyond entertainment. Bad Bunny’s career has often intersected with conversations about identity, belonging, and social justice. He has spoken publicly about how political and societal issues affect his decisions (for example, concerns about U.S. immigration enforcement at events in the U.S.), and how important it is for him that fans see their own stories represented. The halftime show gives a global platform for those themes. New York Post+2CBSSports.com+2

Already, reactions have spanned excitement, pride, curiosity, and high expectations. Fans are speculating about setlists, guest artists, visuals, and how this show might differ from recent halftime performances. Critics are attentive to how this will measure up to past halftime shows in terms of viewership, spectacle, and cultural resonance. AP News+1

Challenges & Opportunities

There are challenges inherent in this kind of performance. The halftime show must appeal to a huge, broad audience, which sometimes means that specific cultural nuances risk being diluted or misunderstood. The timing is tight: the halftime window is short, yet producers will likely want to deliver something richly detailed. Logistical constraints, large stage apparatus, camera work, and high expectations all add pressure. But these are familiar terrain for Bad Bunny — he has proven he can scale up, adapt, and deliver under big lights. AP News+1

On the opportunity side, this is a moment to set records, shift perceptions, and create something memorable. Viewership for halftime shows continues to climb, especially when the performer brings global fan bases, crossover appeal, and social relevance. It’s also a chance to push Latin music further into mainstream recognition in the U.S., reaffirm representation, and perhaps influence how future halftime shows are cast. Pitchfork+1

What Comes Next

In the months ahead, many details will likely be revealed: guest performers, stage design, setlist, rehearsal visuals, and promotional tie-ins. Bad Bunny is also expected to balance his ongoing world tour obligations, his creative projects, and this massive commitment. The promotional machinery — including Roc Nation’s involvement, Apple Music’s sponsorship, cutting-edge visual media, and possibly streaming extras — could also expand the show’s reach.\

By:Wilgens Sirise