bad bunny super bowl lx hlaftime show

On February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny (born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) made history by headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.

As the first male solo Latin artist to take the stage and the first to perform entirely in Spanish, his 13-minute set transformed the football field into a vibrant tribute to Latino culture, blending reggaeton, Latin trap, and Puerto Rican heritage.

Coming just a week after his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos became the first Spanish-language record to win Album of the Year at the Grammys, the performance was a high-energy spectacle that sparked both acclaim and debate.

The Performance and Highlights

Bad Bunny’s show kicked off with his hit “Tití Me Preguntó,” where he emerged in an all-white jersey-style outfit emblazoned with “Ocasio” on the back, a nod to his real name.

The stage was reimagined as a miniature Puerto Rico, complete with prop plants, power lines, and piragua stands, symbolizing his roots.

He transitioned seamlessly into “Yo Perreo Sola,” a track emphasizing women’s autonomy, followed by “Monaco” and a snippet of Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina.”

The set featured elaborate choreography, colorful outfits, and immersive camera work that had dancers and actors weaving through a maze-like setup.

One standout moment was Bad Bunny climbing electric poles, a reference to the power outages in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017, highlighting resilience amid hardship.

He also passed his Grammy Award to a young child, saying in Spanish, “Always believe in yourself.” The performance culminated in an emphatic spike of a football, ending on a triumphant note.

While a full setlist wasn’t officially released, key songs included:

  • “Tití Me Preguntó”
  • “Yo Perreo Sola”
  • “Die with a Smile” Duet with Lady Gaga
  • “Monaco” Performed with celebrity cameos
  • “DTMF” (closing track)

The upbeat music and party vibe kept the crowd engaged, proving Bad Bunny’s point that “you don’t have to learn Spanish to enjoy it — just be willing to dance.”

Notable Names in Attendance and On-Stage Guests

Super Bowl LX drew a star-studded crowd, with celebrities filling the stands and suites to watch the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29-13.

Among the high-profile attendees were music icons like Jay-Z (with daughter Blue Ivy Carter), Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber, Travis Scott, Jon Bon Jovi, J Balvin, and Billie Joe Armstrong (of Green Day, who performed pre-kickoff).

Hollywood stars included Adam Sandler, Chris Pratt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kendall Jenner, Emma Roberts, Elizabeth Banks, Madelyn Cline, Odessa A’zion, and Pedro Pascal.

Sports legends like Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Roger Federer, Travis Kelce, Carmelo Anthony, Paolo Banchero, and Jamal Crawford were also spotted.

Other notables: Tim Cook (Apple CEO), Bill Nye, Rainn Wilson, Macklemore, Joel McHale, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Robert Irwin, Suni Lee, Ciara (with Russell Wilson), and Rosé. On stage, Bad Bunny was joined by surprise guests who amplified the cultural celebration.

Lady Gaga appeared for a duet on her Bruno Mars collaboration “Die with a Smile,” while Ricky Martin — dubbed the “OG” of Latin pop — brought nostalgic energy.

Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Karol G, Young Miko, Giannina Mourouvin, David Grutman, and Alix Earle also made cameos, dancing and interacting during the set. Cardi B, dating Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, added a personal NFL tie-in.

READ: Star Power At Super Bowl LX Weekend: Jay-Z, Roger Federer & Tom Brady Unite In San Francisco

On-Stage Messages

Beyond the music, Bad Bunny used the platform to deliver powerful social and political statements. He denounced President Trump’s immigration policies with a bold “ICE out” declaration, echoing his Grammy speech.

Holding a football inscribed with “Together, we are America,” he emphasized unity and Latino contributions to the U.S.

A billboard during the show read, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” He also officiated a couple’s wedding on stage, symbolizing love and community.

These elements tied into broader themes of identity and resilience, especially poignant amid reports of ICE actions against Hispanic citizens.

Bad Bunny had previously addressed backlash, joking on SNL that critics had “four months to learn Spanish” and framing the show as an “achievement for Latinos in America.”

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What Others Had to Say: Reactions and Backlash

The performance ignited polarizing reactions, reflecting cultural divides. The NFL celebrated it as “ICONIC,” with players like J.J. Watt tweeting, “Did I understand a single word? No. Was it a vibe? It was.”

Jalen Brunson wrote, “Thank you Benito,” while Donovan Mitchell hyped it with “BAD BUNNY‼️” and Damian Priest declared, “It’s WEPA time! 🇵🇷” Fans on X praised the energy and representation, with one calling it “an incredible and emotional explosion of Latin American culture.”

Critics, however, were vocal. Some NFL players anonymously surveyed by The Athletic opposed the choice, with one saying, “I don’t speak Spanish so I’m not a big fan.”

Online, detractors labeled it “awful,” “boring,” and “un-American,” complaining about the Spanish lyrics and “family-unfriendly” dancing.

Comedian Josh Johnson mocked the anger, noting it stemmed from recent halftime shifts. Trump called it “absolutely terrible” and an “affront to the Greatness of America,” prompting some MAGA supporters to boycott for an “All-American” alternative.

Despite the divide, viewership soared to over 135 million, making it the most-watched halftime show ever. X posts captured the spectrum: Positive users hailed it as “festive, lively & vibrant — a stinging rebuke to a racist president,” while negatives decried it as “trash” and “cringe.”

One user summed up the split: “Reactions are divided, not a clear flop.” In the end, Bad Bunny’s show wasn’t just entertainment — it was a bold statement on inclusion, proving that good music transcends language and borders.

READ: Mariah Carey’s Dazzling Performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

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