The Superbowl isn’t just about what’s on the field, but on the stage. Halftime performances attract even more viewers every year. In fact, in recent years, the halftime show has drawn more viewers than the game itself. Fans expect no difference when Bad Bunny hits the stage this February.
The selection of Bad Bunny for the Superbowl performance marks history as the first male Latin artist to headline a major cultural moment. His performance will celebrate Latin music and identity. His discography is also majority in Spanish.
Bad Bunny is one of the most-streamed artists in the world. Within hours of the announcement, his songs surged on streaming platforms.
Although his performance will be historic to halftime performances, the announcement also met with sharp criticism and backlash among people who weren’t familiar with him, as well as the President and his supporters.
Many non-Bad Bunny fans were outraged by the headlining of a Latin artist. Even political officials, including President Donald Trump, expressed outrage at the idea. In an interview, Trump claimed the choice is “absolutely ridiculous,” and “I don’t know who he is.”
Partly the reason certain Americans are upset about the choice is primarily due to his performance being majorly spoken in Spanish, not English. Conservative-leaning fans are calling for him to be replaced with a more “American” halftime show. They largely petition for him to be replaced by country music artist George Strait, to fit the “traditional American” show.
Prior to the Super Bowl announcement, Bad Bunny had announced his dates for his latest world tour, “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos,” while the United States seemed to be off the list. In an interview with I-D Magazine, he told journalists that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was partly the reason for the noticeable absence of tour dates.
Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, defended the choice of Bad Bunny for the Superbowl despite heavy criticism. He reaffirmed Bad Bunny as a top global entertainer.
Recently announced, Green Day will also be performing at the game for the opening ceremonies before the game. The punk rock band will join Bad Bunny in what is expected to carry strong political messages. The band has previously and openly criticized Trump and his policies before. It is expected that they will include some form of message in their opening ceremony this year.
Superbowl LX (2026) is set to be held in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is expected to draw more than 100 million views, despite the outrage by certain Americans.
