Bad Bunny Brings Puerto Rico's History and Culture to Groundbreaking Super Bowl Halftime Show

The Puerto Rican superstar's performance celebrated the island's rural roots and cultural heritage.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show featured a powerful display of Puerto Rico's history and culture, with the reggaeton artist emerging from a field of sugarcane surrounded by jíbaros (rural farmers) wearing traditional pava hats. The performance highlighted the island's agricultural heritage and working-class roots, providing a revolutionary take on the high-profile event.

Why it matters

Bad Bunny's halftime show represented a significant departure from the typical glitz and spectacle of the Super Bowl, using the global platform to shine a light on Puerto Rico's cultural identity and the lived experiences of its people. This marked a shift towards greater representation and authenticity in one of the world's most watched television events.

The details

During the performance, Bad Bunny was joined by a troupe of dancers dressed as jíbaros, the rural farmers who have long been the backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy. The artist performed against a backdrop of sugarcane fields, a nod to the island's history as a major producer of the crop. Bad Bunny's set also incorporated traditional Puerto Rican musical elements and visual imagery, creating a powerful celebration of the island's cultural heritage.

  • Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show took place on February 12, 2026.

The players

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican reggaeton artist who has become one of the biggest global music stars of the 2020s, known for his innovative and socially conscious approach to his art.

Jíbaros

Rural farmers in Puerto Rico who have long been the backbone of the island's agricultural economy, known for their traditional dress and way of life.

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What they’re saying

“Bad Bunny's halftime show was a revolutionary moment that celebrated the heart and soul of Puerto Rico. It was a powerful statement about identity, culture, and the lived experiences of the Puerto Rican people.”

— Maria Sherman, Entertainment Writer (stamfordadvocate.com)

The takeaway

Bad Bunny's groundbreaking Super Bowl halftime show marked a significant shift towards greater representation and authenticity in one of the world's most high-profile entertainment events. By centering Puerto Rico's cultural heritage and the experiences of its working-class people, the performance challenged the typical glitz and spectacle of the Super Bowl, offering a powerful statement about identity, community, and the importance of celebrating diverse narratives on the global stage.