Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show: Gaga, Ricky Martin & Historic Performance

Santa Clara, California – February 8, 2026 – Bad Bunny delivered a history-making Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, not only electrifying Levi’s Stadium but also solidifying his position as a global music icon and a powerful voice for Latin culture. The performance, a vibrant and meticulously crafted spectacle, was punctuated by surprise appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin and a celebration of Puerto Rican heritage that resonated far beyond the football field.

Bad Bunny’s selection as headliner was itself a landmark moment. He is the first Latin male artist, and the first artist performing primarily in Spanish, to take the prestigious Super Bowl halftime stage. This followed a previous appearance as a guest during Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 halftime show, marking a significant trajectory for the artist. The performance arrived on the heels of a momentous Grammy night, where he became the first artist to win Album of the Year with an all-Spanish-language LP, Debí Tirar Más Fotos.

The show opened with Bad Bunny performing “Tití Me Preguntó,” sporting an off-white football jersey emblazoned with his surname, Ocasio, and the number ‘64.’ The stage design immediately established the cultural theme, featuring workers in traditional pava (straw) hats, setting the tone for a performance steeped in Puerto Rican pride. He moved through a series of elaborate set pieces, from scenes depicting field workers and dominoes games to vibrant displays of piragua (shaved ice) vendors and boxing training, all underscoring the richness of Puerto Rican life.

The guest appearances added further star power to the already dazzling spectacle. Karol G, Jessica Alba, and Cardi B joined Bad Bunny on the field, contributing to the energy, and excitement. Perhaps the most anticipated moment came with the arrival of Lady Gaga, who performed a Latin rendition of her Bruno Mars collaboration, “Die With A Smile,” backed by Bad Bunny’s band, Los Pleneros de la Cresta. Ricky Martin then took the stage to introduce “El apagón” with a segment of “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii.”

Throughout the 13-minute performance, Bad Bunny primarily sang and spoke in Spanish, with lyrics projected onto the stadium’s massive screens. Towards the end of the set, he offered a brief moment in English, proclaiming “God bless America!” before launching into a roll call of nations across North, South, and Central America – Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, the United States, and Canada – a gesture of inclusivity and pan-American solidarity.

The performance culminated with Bad Bunny declaring, “Mi Patria Puerto Rico, seguimos aquí,” – “My homeland Puerto Rico, we are still here” – a powerful statement of cultural resilience. He also held up a football with the message “Together we are America” printed on it, while the stadium screen displayed the sentiment, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

The setlist included performances of “Tití me preguntó,” “Yo perreo sola,” “Safaera,” “Party,” “Voy a Llevarte Pa PR,” “EeO,” “Monaco / Die With A Smile” (with Lady Gaga), “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” “NUEVAYoL,” “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii / El apagón” (with Ricky Martin), and “DtMF.”

The lead-up to the performance was not without controversy. Announced in September 2025, the selection of Bad Bunny drew criticism and personal attacks from conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump, who claimed to have never heard of the artist. Concerns were also raised regarding the potential presence of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents at the concert, a sensitive issue given Bad Bunny’s previous decision to avoid touring in the US due to fears of raids.

Bad Bunny addressed these concerns directly at the Grammys last week, February 1, 2026, during his acceptance speech for Album of the Year. He delivered a passionate message, stating, “We are not savage, we are not animals, we are not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans.” He continued, emphasizing the power of love over hate, and urging unity and respect.

Prior to the halftime show, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the decision to select Bad Bunny, describing it as “carefully thought through.” Despite protests, including an “All American Halftime Show” headlined by Kid Rock organized by Turning Point USA, Bad Bunny’s performance proceeded as planned.

The response to the performance was overwhelmingly positive, with California Governor Gavin Newsom declaring February 8th “Bad Bunny Day” in the state. Following the show, Newsom posted on social media, “America, the beautiful. THANK YOU, BAD BUNNY.” The performance is widely expected to be remembered as a pivotal moment in Super Bowl history, and a powerful statement about the growing influence of Latin music and culture on the global stage.