Super Bowl 2026 halftime show, explained: Why Bad Bunny was chosen as Super Bowl 60 performer

The NFL pulled out all the stops in its effort to draw clamor ahead of the Seahawks and Patriots' Super Bowl 60 clash.

The on-field action features plenty of notable storylines. Sam Darnold will attempt to add another gemstone to his unprecedented career turnaround, while Drake Maye aims to become one of the youngest hurlers to lead his team to the Lombardi Trophy.

It's a matchup pockmarked with luminaries, from Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Maye, Mike Vrabel and Stefon Diggs. And yet, the biggest star set to take the field at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 8 is no football player at all.

The NFL recruited famed rapper and singer Bad Bunny to lead proceedings at the Super Bowl 60 halftime show. The Puerto Rico native is no stranger to the spotlight -- his name has been scrawled atop marquees for the better part of a decade. Nevertheless, his prominence might come as some surprise to those who haven't heard his distinctive vocals float on a track.

With that, here's a look at why the NFL felt enticed to make the multiple time Grammy winner the star of its highest-profile festivity.

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Why is Bad Bunny doing Super Bowl halftime show?

Bad Bunny is arguably music's biggest star. That's no hyperbole, either. The Puerto Rican supernova enchanted more listeners than any other artist in 2025, claiming 19.8 billion Spotify streams. That placed him above fellow industry heavyweights Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Drake and Billie Eilish in the rankings.

Bad Bunny's music is a mosaic of his influences. Known as the "King of Latin Trap", Bad Bunny -- real name Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio -- croons and raps over production shaped by the reggaeton, salsa and merengue.

His projects are as critically-acclaimed as they are commercially successful. Bad Bunny's cabinet is lined with trophies -- he has three Grammy Awards, 17 Latin Grammy Awards, eight Billboard Music Awards and 13 Lo Nuestro Awards. He also claimed Billboard's Artist of the Year title in 2025.

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Simply put, Bad Bunny is just the sort of global icon the NFL would love to have promoting its interests -- even if only for a fleeting moment. NFL SVP of Global Event Production Jon Barker said as much when Bad Bunny was announced as the Super Bowl halftime show performer.

"Bad Bunny represents the global energy and cultural vibrancy that define today's music scene. As one of the most influential and streamed artists in the world, his unique ability to bridge genres, languages, and audiences makes him an exciting and natural choice to take the Super Bowl halftime stage." 

Bad Bunny, meanwhile, expressed pride for his people and his heritage in response to September's announcement.

"What I'm feeling goes beyond myself. It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown," Bad Bunny said in a statement. "This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL."

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When did Bad Bunny last release music?

Bad Bunny is still basking in the spotlight of his latest album, "Debí Tirar Mas Fotos" ("I Should Have Taken More Photos"), which was released on Jan. 5, 2025.

The project was supported by several singles, including the title track ("DTMF"), a wistful tune that sees Bad Bunny reminisce on relationships with people who have since left his life. The song climbed to No. 1 on the US Billboard Global 200. The album earned similar placement, peaking at No. 1 in the Billboard 200.

For his efforts across the tape, Bad Bunny was awarded five Latin Grammys, including Album of the Year. He fielded six nominations at the upcoming Grammys.

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Super Bowl 60 halftime show trailer

On Jan. 16, Apple Music dropped its Super Bowl 60 halftime show trailer. The minute-long clip sees Bad Bunny dancing to his 2025 track, "Baile Inolvidable" ("Unforgettable Dance") with a rotating carousel of dance partners underneath a venerable red tree.