Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny will take center stage as the headliner for the Super Bowl LX halftime show scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This performance marks a significant milestone as it will be the first fully Spanish-language halftime show in Super Bowl history, and Bad Bunny is the first Latino man to headline this prominent event.
The announcement follows Bad Bunny’s recent decision to forgo a continental U.S. tour for his latest album, ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’, due to concerns over the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents targeting Latine communities. He expressed his worries in an interview with i-D magazine, stating, “There was the issue of — like, f— ICE could be outside. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.” Despite these concerns, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance has sparked discussions around safety and the cultural significance of his role.
In 2021, Bad Bunny made a brief appearance during the halftime show with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, showcasing his growing influence in the music industry. His residency in Puerto Rico, titled No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí, was a resounding success, attracting over 600,000 tourists and generating an estimated $733 million for the local economy. This achievement underscores Bad Bunny’s ability to draw significant audiences and attention to Puerto Rico.
Despite the potential risks associated with ICE’s increased activity in the Bay Area, where arrests surged by 123% between January and July 2025, experts suggest that the sanctuary status of Santa Clara County may provide some reassurance. Immigration attorney Lina Baroudi noted that while local law enforcement is unlikely to cooperate with ICE, federal agents can still operate independently. This raises questions about the safety of fans attending the Super Bowl, particularly those from Latine backgrounds.
Bad Bunny has expressed the emotional weight of his upcoming performance, stating, “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. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.” His commitment to representing his culture on such a prominent platform is significant, especially against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of immigrants and Spanish speakers in the United States.
The NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny aligns with its broader strategy to engage with the rapidly growing Latine fan base, which now numbers around 39 million in the U.S. This demographic has shown increasing interest in the Super Bowl, with viewership rising by 51% from 2021 to 2024. The league aims to tap into the Latine community’s estimated buying power of $3.6 trillion, making Bad Bunny’s performance not just a cultural statement but also a strategic commercial move.
As the Super Bowl approaches, there is speculation about whether Bad Bunny’s previous stance against performing in the U.S. was genuine or performative. Critics may question the authenticity of his motivations, particularly given the current socio-political climate. Nonetheless, his upcoming performance promises to be a celebration of culture and a pivotal moment for representation in one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.
The event will likely draw millions of viewers, with Bad Bunny recently breaking Amazon Music’s livestream record for the most-watched single artist performance. His album ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ topped the Billboard 200 upon its release, solidifying his status as a major figure in contemporary music.
As anticipation builds for Super Bowl LX, Bad Bunny’s performance is poised to not only entertain but also educate and inspire, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Puerto Rico and the broader Latine community in the United States. The event invites both celebration and contemplation regarding the ongoing challenges faced by these communities, particularly in the context of immigration policy and cultural representation.
