Bad Bunny Brings Puerto Rican Pride to Historic Super Bowl Halftime Show

From surprise guests to emotional moments, here's what you didn't see on TV during the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performance.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Bad Bunny made history as the first Latin artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a powerful, cultural performance that celebrated his Puerto Rican roots. Beyond the music, the artist brought a message of unity, holding a football that read "Together We Are America" at the end of his set. Fans in the stadium donned pava straw hats and "Team Benito" merchandise, creating a vibrant atmosphere around the highly anticipated "Benito Bowl."

Why it matters

Bad Bunny's historic Super Bowl halftime show marked a significant milestone for Latin music and representation on the biggest stage. His intentional, prideful, and cultural performance challenged the traditional format of the halftime show and showcased the growing influence and popularity of Latin artists in the mainstream. The event also highlighted the strong fan base and cultural pride surrounding Bad Bunny, who has become one of the biggest music stars in the world.

The details

Bad Bunny's nearly 15-minute halftime show featured some of his biggest hits, including "Tití Me Preguntó," "Yo Perreo Sola," "NuevaYol," and "Baile Inolvidable." He was joined by surprise guests such as Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Karol G, Cardi B, and Pedro Pascal. Beyond the music, Bad Bunny made a powerful statement by holding a football that read "Together We Are America" at the end of his performance, conveying a message of unity.

  • The 2026 Super Bowl halftime show took place on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • Bad Bunny's Grammy-winning album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" earned him the coveted Album of the Year award earlier in 2026.

The players

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican singer, rapper, and songwriter who has become one of the biggest music stars in the world, known for his unique blend of reggaeton, trap, and Latin pop.

Lady Gaga

An American singer, songwriter, and actress who was a surprise guest during Bad Bunny's halftime show performance.

Ricky Martin

A Puerto Rican singer, actor, and author who was a surprise guest during Bad Bunny's halftime show performance.

Karol G

A Colombian singer and songwriter who was a surprise guest during Bad Bunny's halftime show performance.

Cardi B

An American rapper, songwriter, and television personality who was a surprise guest during Bad Bunny's halftime show performance.

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What they’re saying

“I wasn't looking for the album of the year at the Grammys and Latin Grammys. I wasn't looking to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. I was just looking to connect with my roots, my people more than ever, connect with myself, my history, my culture. I did it in a very honest way […] You always have to be proud of who you are and feel comfortable being yourself, but don't let that limit yourself. I know where I come from, but I also know where I can go.”

— Bad Bunny (Billboard)

What’s next

The 2026 Super Bowl halftime show marked a significant milestone for Latin music and representation, and it remains to be seen how Bad Bunny's performance will impact future halftime shows and the broader music industry.

The takeaway

Bad Bunny's historic Super Bowl halftime show celebrated his Puerto Rican heritage and challenged the traditional format of the event, showcasing the growing influence and popularity of Latin artists in the mainstream. His powerful performance and message of unity resonated with fans, solidifying his status as one of the biggest music stars in the world.