Bad Bunny Makes History with Energetic Super Bowl Halftime Performance
Bad Bunny delivered a groundbreaking and electrifying performance at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, cementing his status as a global music icon. The Grammy-winning Puerto Rican rap superstar, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, took the field at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, during the NFL championship game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
Star-Studded Celebrity Appearances and Cultural Celebration
The 31-year-old artist brought out an impressive array of celebrity guests throughout his dynamic set. Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and popular podcaster Alix Earle made brief cameos as background dancers, adding Hollywood glamour to the spectacle. The show also featured prominent Latin music stars, including Puerto Rican singer and rapper Young Miko, Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G, and rap superstar Cardi B. Bad Bunny had previously collaborated with Cardi B on her 2018 chart-topper "I Like It."
In a particularly memorable moment, Lady Gaga made a surprise appearance to sing a rendition of her 2025 duet with Bruno Mars, "Die with a Smile." Following the vocal performance, Bad Bunny took her hand and the two engaged in an impromptu salsa dance that delighted the audience. Fellow Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin was then brought out to perform a cover of Bad Bunny's hit song "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii."
Rich Cultural Elements and Historic Significance
The halftime show was packed with meaningful nods to Latin culture and heritage. Most notably, Bad Bunny's set included a "casita," an iconic traditional Puerto Rican village home that had been a key element of his 2025 world tour stage design. At one point during the performance, cameras panned to a large stage where a wedding party was gathered, with a bride and groom standing before a justice of the peace. It has since been confirmed that this was an actual real-life wedding ceremony taking place during the show.
Towards the conclusion of his set, Bad Bunny marched across the field with his background dancers, proudly holding and waving flags representing every country in the Americas. In a powerful finale, he was handed a football inscribed with the words "Together, we are America" and recited the message: "God bless America."
Complete Setlist of Performed Songs
Bad Bunny performed a mashup of his biggest and best-known hits throughout the historic show. The complete setlist included:
- "Tití Me Preguntó"
- "Yo Perreo Sola"
- "SaFaeRa"
- "Party"
- "VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR"
- "EoO"
- "MONACO"
- "Die With A Smile" (with Lady Gaga)
- "BAILE INoLVIDABLE"
- "NUEVAYoL"
- "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii" (with Ricky Martin)
- "El Apagón"
- "CAFÉ CON RON"
- "DtMF"
The show opened with "Tití Me Preguntó" from his 2025 Grammy-winning album DeBí Tirar MáS FOToS, setting the tone for an energetic performance that kept the stadium audience engaged throughout.
Breaking Barriers and Political Context
Bad Bunny made history as the first male solo Latin artist to perform the Super Bowl halftime show and the first to deliver his entire set entirely in Spanish. This groundbreaking achievement came on the heels of his historic Album of the Year win at the 68th Grammy Awards just one month prior.
The global megastar's selection as this year's halftime performer had generated some controversy, with MAGA supporters criticizing the choice due to Bad Bunny's previous criticism of Donald Trump's immigration policies. However, the NFL banked on the artist's ability to bring global audiences together, particularly amid the current political divisions within the United States. The performance successfully celebrated Latin culture while appealing to a broad international audience through its universal themes of music, dance, and unity.
Wearing an all-white ensemble, Bad Bunny delivered what many are calling one of the most culturally significant and energetic halftime shows in Super Bowl history, blending contemporary Latin music with traditional cultural elements to create a memorable spectacle that resonated with viewers worldwide.
