As the world prepares for Super Bowl LX, the excitement surrounding the entertainment lineup has reached a fever pitch, centered on one man: Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. Known globally as Bad Bunny, the 31-year-old Puerto Rican powerhouse is set to take the stage on February 8, 2026, for a performance that is already being hailed as a watershed moment in American broadcasting. While the Super Bowl has long been the pinnacle of domestic sports, Bad Bunny’s headlining slot signifies the NFL’s definitive pivot toward a truly global, multilingual audience. This upcoming performance marks the first time in the sixty-year history of the halftime show that a headliner will perform a set primarily in Spanish, a move that reflects the shifting cultural demographics of both the United States and the international music market.
The road to the Super Bowl stage has been paved with unprecedented accolades for the artist. Bad Bunny enters this arena fresh off a monumental victory at the 2026 Grammy Awards, where he secured the prestigious Album of the Year trophy. This win was not merely a personal triumph but a symbolic breaking of the "glass ceiling" for Spanish-language music in the Recording Academy’s most coveted category. With his "The world will dance" promise made via social media in early 2026, the stakes are remarkably high. For Benito, this is more than a concert; it is a manifestation of his meteoric rise from a supermarket bagger in Vega Baja to the most-streamed male artist on Spotify.
Despite his overwhelming popularity, the selection of Bad Bunny was not without its detractors. In some corners of the traditional sports world, the choice "ruffled feathers," sparking debates about the direction of the halftime show. However, the NFL and its partners at Roc Nation have remained steadfast in their decision. Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, has been vocal in his support, describing the "MONACO" singer as "one of the greatest artists in the world." Goodell emphasized that the choice was based not only on Bad Bunny’s musical legacy but on his ability to use his massive platform to foster unity. According to the Commissioner, the halftime stage is a place to bring people together through creativity and talent, and Bad Bunny’s unique ability to bridge cultural divides made him the ideal candidate for the 60th anniversary of the show.
The strategy behind this selection is deeply rooted in the NFL’s desire to resonate with the Latino community, a demographic that is increasingly vital to the league’s growth. Javier Farfan, a marketing consultant for the NFL, noted that the evolution of the halftime show has been a gradual process of building trust and visibility. He pointed to the 2020 performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira as the catalyst. That show was the first time two Latina pop stars headlined together, sending a powerful message to the global community that the NFL "gets" them. By elevating Bad Bunny to a solo headlining position, the league is doubling down on that commitment, signaling that Latino culture is no longer a guest at the table but the main event.
The weight of this performance is compounded by the legendary acts that have preceded him. Bad Bunny follows in the footsteps of Kendrick Lamar, whose 2025 performance was a masterclass in symbolism and cultural commentary, set against the backdrop of his high-profile industry feuds. Before Lamar, the stage belonged to Usher in 2024, who delivered a high-energy, guest-heavy tribute to R&B, and Rihanna in 2023, whose floating platforms and pregnancy reveal became an instant viral sensation. To stand among these titans, and alongside icons like Beyoncé, who redefined the halftime show in 2013, Bad Bunny must deliver a spectacle that is both visually arresting and culturally resonant.
The artist himself is acutely aware of the historical gravity of the moment. During a monologue on Saturday Night Live, he expressed that his participation is a victory for the entire Latino community. He spoke of the "footprints" left by those who came before him and the contribution of Spanish-speaking people to the fabric of the United States. For Benito, the Super Bowl is a chance to prove that his language and culture are inseparable from the modern American identity—a legacy that, in his words, "no one will ever be able to take away or erase."
To understand the evolution of the Super Bowl halftime show is to look back at the transformation of the event over the last quarter-century. Since the turn of the millennium, the show has moved away from marching bands and themed pageants toward high-concept, star-studded productions that often eclipse the game itself in terms of cultural conversation.
In 2025, Kendrick Lamar utilized the center-field stage to deliver a poignant narrative about the racial and political divides in America. His performance was lauded for its depth, though it also made headlines for the subtle jabs directed at his rival, Drake, proving that the halftime show could be both a social statement and a continuation of contemporary pop culture dramas. A year prior, Usher turned the 2024 show into a celebration of Las Vegas residency style, bringing out an arsenal of collaborators including Alicia Keys, will.i.am, Lil Jon, and Ludacris. It was a nostalgic yet fresh reminder of the power of 2000s R&B.
The 2023 show belonged to Rihanna, who opted for a solo approach. Dressed in head-to-toe red, she performed a career-spanning medley while suspended high above the field, famously using the moment to announce her second pregnancy without saying a single word. This followed the 2020 milestone where Jennifer Lopez and Shakira brought a dual-headliner energy that celebrated their respective Puerto Rican and Colombian heritages. That night was particularly special as Lopez shared the stage with her child, Emme, symbolizing the passing of the torch to a new generation of performers.
The mid-2010s were defined by massive pop spectacles. Lady Gaga’s 2017 performance began with a literal leap from the roof of the NRG Stadium, followed by a high-octane set of her greatest hits and multiple costume changes. In 2015, Katy Perry set a record for the largest audience in halftime history, a feat aided by her entrance on a giant mechanical lion and the now-infamous "Left Shark" backup dancer. Bruno Mars also left an indelible mark in 2014, bringing a vintage funk energy alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers that appealed to multiple generations of viewers.
Looking further back, the early 2010s saw the "Queen Bey" era. Beyoncé’s 2013 performance is often cited as one of the best in history, largely due to the surprise reunion of Destiny’s Child. The sheer athleticism and vocal precision of the set raised the bar for every performer who followed. In 2012, Madonna proved her enduring relevance with a Roman-themed extravaganza, though the performance was nearly overshadowed by a controversial gesture from guest artist M.I.A.
The late 2000s were characterized by a focus on rock legends, a move the NFL made following the "wardrobe malfunction" controversy of 2004. This era gave us The Who in 2010, whose set featured the iconic vocals of Roger Daltrey and the guitar work of Pete Townshend. In 2009, while the halftime show was spectacular, it was Jennifer Hudson’s soaring rendition of the National Anthem that captured the nation’s heart. Perhaps the most celebrated performance of this era, and possibly all time, was Prince in 2007. Performing "Purple Rain" in the middle of a literal downpour in Miami, Prince delivered a masterclass in showmanship that remains the gold standard for live television.
The Rolling Stones in 2006 and Paul McCartney in 2005 provided a steady, classic rock foundation for the mid-aughts, with McCartney leading the stadium in a massive sing-along of "Hey Jude." These years were a sharp contrast to the eclectic, experimental shows of the early 2000s. In 2003, Gwen Stefani and Sting shared a memorable duet of "Message in a Bottle," while 2001 saw a chaotic but thrilling collision of genres when Aerosmith was joined by *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly for a performance of "Walk This Way."
The millennium began with a mix of Disney-produced pageantry and pop stardom. In 2000, the show featured an unlikely but impressive pairing of Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias, alongside Phil Collins and Toni Braxton, performing under the theme "The Tapestry of Nations." It was a fitting start to a century that would see the halftime show evolve from a simple intermission into a global cultural phenomenon.
As Bad Bunny prepares to add his name to this illustrious list, he does so with the support of legends who paved the way. Icons like Gloria Estefan, who performed at multiple Super Bowls in the 1990s, have long advocated for the inclusion of Latin rhythms on the world stage. The transition from Estefan’s era to Bad Bunny’s headlining slot represents a full-circle moment for Latin music. As the lights go down on February 8, 2026, the focus will not be on the language spoken, but on the universal language of music and the historic "footprint" of a culture that has finally taken center stage.
