As most may know by now, the main performer at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show will be Puerto Rican singer and rapper Bad Bunny. While this may be exciting news to some, it is also very controversial and shocking to others. Bad Bunny’s style of music blends reggaeton and trap music, as well as urban music styles or “musica urban,” incorporating other genres like punk, rock, and soul.
Crowned the “King of Latin Rap,” from Britannica, his selection for the halftime show is controversial because his music is written and performed in Spanish, and not English. This, however, may actually benefit the National Football League because Bad Bunny’s worldwide fanbase and multicultural influence will help garner a broader audience for the sport (britannica.com).
To lots of football fans and non-football fans alike, the halftime show is never something to skip out on, whether at home or in the stadium. Every year, the halftime show is a new spectacle, with amazing music and unforgettable performances. It is sometimes more anticipated than the Super Bowl itself. From someone who watches and attends football games regularly and is a Chargers fan, Senior Angelina Diaz stated, “I like Bad Bunny’s music and acting.” In regards to the halftime show, she said, “If it’s not my favorite team playing, I look forward to the halftime show more than the actual game.” Bad Bunny’s influence is already reaching big-time football fans today, who are proud listeners of his music and are excited to see, if anything, his halftime performance. This shows how Bad Bunny’s large fanbase and influence will bring more attention to the Super Bowl.
Bad Bunny’s talent and rising fame are becoming more and more undeniable as he has been carving his way into Hollywood, playing recognizable roles in popular movies and franchises like Bullet Train, Fast and Furious 9, and Happy Gilmore 2. He has also starred multiple times on Saturday Night Live as both a guest host and a musical entertainer, according to published reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (rottentomatoes.com). According to a pop culture website, “Bad Bunny has also maintained a presence in WWE wrestling as both a performer and wrestler since 2021. In February of 2021, he won the WWE 24/7 Championship and lost it the next month” (people.com). Having a large presence in Hollywood builds Bad Bunny’s influence and fan base, widening the potential viewership for the Super Bowl.
According to Sports Illustrated, recently, the NFL has expanded to Brazil, England, Germany, and more as a part of their international series (sportsillustrated.com). The goal of showing these games in new countries is to grow the viewer base and expose international fans to the game. This coincides with the selection of Bad Bunny for the halftime show. According to Spotify, “For the fourth time, Bad Bunny is the most-streamed Wrapped artist on Spotify globally, with 19.8 billion streams this year” (spotify.com). He will bring in viewership.
Bad Bunny’s resume lines up with those of previous performers such as Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Beyoncé, who all share a similar global reach. Regardless of the type of music Bad Bunny makes, his colossal following makes him a great selection as the NFL continues to tap into international markets.
While the selection of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl Halftime Show has caused quite the controversy, as well as a slew of misinformation, the reasoning for the NFL’s selection is quite clear. Bad Bunny is the definition of a global superstar in the music industry. He has amassed a global following matched by few, and appeals to as diverse a fanbase as anyone. With the NFL’s attempts to appeal to international markets, Bad Bunny’s selection is not just reasonable but ideal.