Bad Bunny went from guest performer at Super Bowl LIV in 2020 to making history as the first Latino solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show just six years later. On February 8, 2026, the Puerto Rican star transformed Levi’s Stadium into a vibrant celebration of Latin culture, performing nearly the entire set in Spanish before a crowd of 68,500. The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show brought together an eclectic lineup of collaborators, from surprise guest Cardi B to longtime friend Ricky Martin, marking milestones that go far beyond the game itself.

Date: February 8, 2026 · Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara · Headliner: Bad Bunny · Sponsor: Apple Music · Key Performers: Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Cardi B, Karol G

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Bad Bunny headlined the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium (Wikipedia)
  • First time a Latino solo artist headlined the Super Bowl halftime show (Wikipedia)
  • The halftime set was performed almost entirely in Spanish (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Official viewership numbers and ratings for the halftime show
  • Whether J Balvin or Post Malone were ever seriously considered as guests
  • Exact details on Pedro Pascal’s involvement beyond the live show
3Timeline signal
  • Bad Bunny announced as headliner on September 28, 2025 (Wikipedia)
  • Green Day opening ceremony announced January 18, 2026 (ABC30)
  • Game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET on February 8, 2026 (ABC30)
4What’s next
  • Super Bowl LXI scheduled for February 7, 2027, at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
  • Bad Bunny’s live album from the performance available on Spotify
  • Fan footage and official photos continue circulating across social platforms

The key details for the event are summarized in the table below.

Detail Information
Official Name Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
Date February 8, 2026
Location Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Headliner Bad Bunny
Guest Performers Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Cardi B, Karol G
Sponsor Apple Music
Stadium Capacity 68,500 seats
Halftime Set Language Almost entirely in Spanish

Who is doing the Super Bowl halftime show in 2026?

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced Bad Bunny as the official headliner on September 28, 2025, marking a historic booking for the league. The decision positioned the Puerto Rican reggaeton superstar as the first Latino solo artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime show, building on his massive global following and cross-cultural appeal. This announcement came as part of a multi-year partnership between the NFL and Apple Music that began with the 2022 Super Bowl LVI halftime show.

Headliner details

Bad Bunny’s rise to the Super Bowl stage reflects a remarkable trajectory in contemporary music. The artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, previously appeared as a guest performer during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020, sharing the stage with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. That experience apparently left an impression: by the time Super Bowl LX rolled around six years later, Bad Bunny had released multiple chart-topping albums, sold out stadium tours worldwide, and established himself as one of the most-streamed artists on the planet.

Announcement sources

The official announcement came directly from the NFL’s communications channels, with representatives from Apple Music and Roc Nation joining the announcement. Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by Jay-Z, has served as the NFL’s strategic entertainment advisor for halftime show bookings since 2019, helping to curate performers who resonate with diverse audiences. The collaboration between these three entities underscores the growing importance of Latin music in mainstream American entertainment.

Why this matters

The NFL’s decision to book Bad Bunny reflects a broader shift in how major American institutions approach cultural representation. By choosing a solo Latino headliner for the first time in Super Bowl history, the league signaled that its audience extends far beyond traditional football demographics—and that the halftime show itself has become a cultural statement, not just an intermission entertainment break.

Who performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2026?

Bad Bunny’s set brought together an impressive roster of collaborators, blending established pop icons with fellow Latin music heavyweights. The guest list included Lady Gaga, who joined Bad Bunny for a Latin-infused rendition of “Die With a Smile” alongside Bruno Mars, and Ricky Martin, the Puerto Rican pop legend who himself made history as the first openly gay male performer to appear on a Super Bowl halftime stage. During the performance of “Yo Perreo Sola,” the show featured surprise appearances by Cardi B and Karol G, while Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and Alix Earle were also spotted joining the festivities.

Full performer list

The official guest lineup included Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Los Pleneros de la Cresta, the acclaimed plena ensemble that provided authentic Puerto Rican musical backing during the “Café Con Ron” segment. The inclusion of Los Pleneros de la Cresta added a distinctly traditional Puerto Rican flavor to the performance, grounding the spectacle in cultural authenticity. The ensemble’s presence underscored Bad Bunny’s commitment to celebrating his roots on the world’s largest stage for sports entertainment.

Guest appearances

Beyond the confirmed guests, several celebrities made unannounced cameos during the performance. Media personality Alix Earle, known for her social media presence and relationship with Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill, appeared alongside Bad Bunny during one of the show’s moments. Jessica Alba, whose connection to the performer remains unclear, was also photographed joining the stage. The presence of Pedro Pascal, the Chilean-American actor known for roles in “The Last of Us” and “The Mandalorian,” added Hollywood star power to the celebration.

Why is Bad Bunny performing in the Super Bowl?

The NFL selected Bad Bunny based on his unparalleled ability to connect with younger, more diverse audiences across demographic lines. The league has actively sought to expand its cultural footprint beyond traditional football viewership, and Bad Bunny’s global streaming numbers—billions of listens across platforms—represented a compelling case for booking him. His bilingual appeal and cross-genre popularity in reggaeton, Latin trap, and pop made him an attractive choice for an event broadcast in multiple countries.

Booking reasons

Industry analysts pointed to Bad Bunny’s record-breaking album releases and sold-out stadium tours as key factors in the NFL’s decision. The artist’s “Most Wanted Tour” and subsequent album cycles consistently dominated charts in the United States and Latin America, demonstrating a commercial draw that translated well to the Super Bowl’s massive television audience. Additionally, Bad Bunny’s previous Super Bowl experience in 2020 meant he understood the scale and production demands of the event.

NFL statements

NFL officials highlighted Bad Bunny’s cultural relevance and musical innovation when announcing the booking. The league’s partnership with Apple Music for halftime sponsorship created additional synergies, as Bad Bunny has maintained a strong relationship with the streaming platform throughout his career. Representatives from Roc Nation emphasized the artist’s ability to bring “energy and authenticity” to the Super Bowl stage, terms that align with the production company’s broader vision for halftime entertainment.

The upshot

Levi’s Stadium has now hosted two Super Bowls in a decade, a testament to the Bay Area’s continued appeal as a destination for major sporting events. For fans attending Super Bowl LX, the venue offered modern amenities and relatively convenient access from both San Francisco and San Jose, though traffic congestion remained a concern for those traveling from outside the immediate area.

Did the 2026 halftime show happen?

Yes, the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show took place as scheduled on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Bad Bunny delivered a 15-minute set that opened with a dramatic orchestral introduction to “Mónaco,” before transitioning into a high-energy sequence of hits. The show proceeded without major technical issues or interruptions, marking a successful execution of one of the most ambitious halftime productions in recent Super Bowl history.

Event confirmation

The event was officially confirmed through multiple channels, including the NFL’s official website, Levi’s Stadium’s event listings, and announcements from Apple Music and Roc Nation. Pre-game events, including the Super Bowl Experience, ran from February 3-7, 2026, giving fans opportunities to engage with interactive exhibits and autograph sessions at the stadium complex. Official ticket packages were available through On Location, the NFL’s designated hospitality partner, with premium experiences starting at several thousand dollars per person.

Date and venue

Super Bowl LX was held at Levi’s Stadium, located at 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way in Santa Clara, California, approximately 45 miles southeast of San Francisco. The stadium, which opened in July 2014 and cost $1.3 billion to construct, previously hosted Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016. Levi’s Stadium is the home venue of the San Francisco 49ers and features a capacity of 68,500 seats, along with LEED Gold certification for its sustainable design elements including a green roof and solar panels. The Super Bowl LX game itself featured a matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.

The catch

Levi’s Stadium has proven its capacity to host major events twice in a decade, yet traffic and logistical challenges continue to test the patience of attendees traveling from the broader Bay Area.

Who is performing at the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show?

Beyond Bad Bunny’s headline performance, the Super Bowl LX halftime festivities included an opening ceremony by Green Day, the Bay Area punk rock band, announced on January 18, 2026. Green Day’s selection as the opening act reflected the NFL’s strategy of incorporating local talent, given the band’s roots in the East Bay city of Berkeley, California. The opening ceremony set the tone for the evening before Bad Bunny took the stage for the main halftime presentation.

Setlist highlights

Bad Bunny’s setlist drew from his extensive catalog of hits, opening with the orchestral “Mónaco” segment that featured a full orchestra. The performance transitioned into crowd favorites including “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Efecto,” and “Dakiti,” maintaining the high-energy pace audiences expect from a Super Bowl halftime production. The inclusion of “Café Con Ron,” backed by Los Pleneros de la Cresta, provided a moment of cultural homage to Puerto Rican musical traditions.

Collaborations

The show’s collaborative moments stood out as particular highlights. Lady Gaga’s appearance during “Die With a Smile” brought a pop superstar crossover element to the performance, while Ricky Martin’s segment celebrated the shared Puerto Rican heritage of both performers. The surprise appearances by Cardi B and Karol G during “Yo Perreo Sola” energized the crowd and generated significant social media engagement in the hours following the show.

Super Bowl halftime shows increasingly rely on surprise guest appearances to generate social media buzz and streaming activity post-event. Bad Bunny’s performance followed this template, though the exact timing and nature of each cameo remained tightly controlled by the production team until the live broadcast.

Timeline

The journey to Super Bowl LX halftime show spanned several years of planning, announcement, and anticipation.

Date Event
April 2012 Levi’s Stadium groundbreaking ceremony
July 2014 Levi’s Stadium opens to the public
February 7, 2016 Levi’s Stadium hosts Super Bowl 50
September 28, 2025 Bad Bunny officially announced as halftime headliner
January 18, 2026 Green Day announced as opening ceremony performer
February 3–7, 2026 Super Bowl Experience at Levi’s Stadium
February 8, 2026 Super Bowl LX and Bad Bunny halftime performance

Confirmed and Unconfirmed

The available evidence clearly establishes some facts while leaving other details uncertain or unverified.

Confirmed

  • Bad Bunny headlined on February 8, 2026
  • Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Cardi B, and Karol G performed
  • First Latino solo headliner in Super Bowl history
  • Halftime set performed almost entirely in Spanish
  • Green Day performed opening ceremony
  • Apple Music sponsorship confirmed

Unconfirmed

  • Full official viewership numbers
  • J Balvin’s involvement in pre-event discussions
  • Charlie Kirk’s reported counterprogramming
  • Complete setlist confirmation

What people are saying

“Bad Bunny delivered a show-stopping performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on Feb. 8, turning Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., into a full-on cultural celebration.”

E! News entertainment coverage

“The performance marked the first time a Latino solo artist headlined the Super Bowl halftime show and the first halftime set performed almost entirely in Spanish.”

— Wikipedia encyclopedia entry

“Martin is the first openly gay male Super Bowl halftime performer.”

— Wikipedia encyclopedia entry

The reactions from music industry observers emphasized the cultural significance of Bad Bunny’s booking. Several prominent publications noted that the NFL’s decision reflected a broader recognition of Latin music’s commercial power in the American market. The near-complete Spanish-language set drew particular praise, with commentators observing that Bad Bunny had refused to dilute his artistic identity for a mainstream audience that might not speak Spanish.

Bottom line: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show established new precedents for cultural authenticity at the Super Bowl. The NFL committed to a Latino solo headliner who delivered a near-complete Spanish-language set at one of the most-watched annual events in American television, proving that language and cultural specificity can anchor mainstream entertainment.

Related reading: NHL Mock Draft 2026

Related coverage: Bad Bunnys milestone performance fördjupar bilden av Super Bowl Halftime 2026 – Bad Bunny Headlines Historic Show.

Frequently asked questions

What time was the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show?

The Super Bowl LX halftime show occurred during the traditional halftime break of the New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks game, which kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET on February 8, 2026. In California, where Levi’s Stadium is located, the halftime performance took place at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time.

Where can I watch Super Bowl 2026 halftime show highlights?

Official highlights are available on the NFL’s YouTube channel and Apple Music’s platform. Bad Bunny’s live album from the performance is also available on Spotify, capturing the audio from his full set including all guest appearances.

Was the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show cancelled?

No, the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show took place as scheduled on February 8, 2026. Bad Bunny delivered his full set before a crowd of 68,500 at Levi’s Stadium, with the event proceeding without major issues.

Who opened the Super Bowl 2026 halftime show?

Green Day, the Bay Area punk rock band, performed the opening ceremony for Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. The band’s appearance was announced on January 18, 2026, and reflected the NFL’s practice of featuring local acts at Bay Area venues.

What songs did Bad Bunny perform at Super Bowl 2026?

Bad Bunny’s set opened with the orchestral “Mónaco” segment and included crowd favorites such as “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Efecto,” and “Dakiti.” The performance featured collaborations with Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Cardi B, and Karol G, and closed with traditional plena backing from Los Pleneros de la Cresta during “Café Con Ron.”

Who is the first openly gay male Super Bowl halftime performer?

Ricky Martin became the first openly gay male performer to appear at a Super Bowl halftime show when he joined Bad Bunny on stage during the February 8, 2026 performance. This milestone was noted by multiple entertainment publications following the event.

What made Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 2026 performance historic?

Bad Bunny’s performance marked two significant firsts: he became the first Latino solo artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime show, and his set was the first to be performed almost entirely in Spanish. Both milestones represented notable shifts in the NFL’s approach to cultural representation.