Bad Bunny to Headline 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show Amid Conservative Backlash
Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny is set to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, drawing criticism from conservative figures due to his previous critiques of President Donald Trump.
The NFL has announced that Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This marks the first time a solo Latino performer will lead the halftime event.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has previously expressed concerns about performing in the continental United States. In an interview earlier this month, he cited worries about potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence at his concerts, stating, "There was the issue of—like, fucking ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it's something that we were talking about and very concerned about."
The announcement has elicited criticism from conservative commentators. Benny Johnson, a right-wing YouTuber, commented on X, "The NFL is self-destructing year after year. Massive Trump hater. Anti-ICE activist. No songs in English." Similarly, commentator Greg Price noted, "The NFL chose Bad Bunny to perform the Super Bowl halftime show despite the fact that he recently said he wouldn’t perform in the continental United States again because ICE is deporting illegal aliens."
Despite the backlash, Bad Bunny's selection aligns with the NFL's recent trend of featuring diverse artists in its halftime shows. Previous performers include Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Rihanna, and The Weeknd.
The Super Bowl Halftime Show is produced by Jay-Z's Roc Nation and sponsored by Apple Music.