Lead
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny said he is approaching his Super Bowl halftime set with excitement, gratitude and perspective, speaking at an Apple Music event in San Francisco on Thursday. The performance at Levi’s Stadium comes one week after he won album of the year at the 2026 Grammys for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, the first all–Spanish album to receive the top prize. Bad Bunny — born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — described the moment as more about community and culture than personal accolades. He offered few specifics about the show but promised a high-energy celebration rooted in his heritage.
Key Takeaways
- Bad Bunny spoke at an Apple Music press event in San Francisco on Thursday ahead of the Super Bowl halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
- He won the 2026 Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, the first Spanish-language album to earn that honor.
- The Super Bowl occurs on Sunday, with the game featuring the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium.
- Bad Bunny signaled the halftime production will emphasize his culture and dancing, but he declined to reveal detailed staging or guest performers.
- Pregame performers include Charlie Puth (national anthem), Brandi Carlile (“America the Beautiful”) and Coco Jones (“Lift Every Voice and Sing”); Green Day will play a pregame set marking the game’s 60th anniversary.
- The show will include multilingual signing: Fred Beam will sign the national anthem in ASL and Celimar Rivera Cosme will lead Puerto Rican Sign Language interpretation for parts of the halftime presentation.
- Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden conducted the conversation; credentialed media — including many Spanish-language outlets — filled the room well before the event.
Background
Bad Bunny’s rise from Puerto Rico to global streaming dominance reshaped pop and Latin music over the past decade. Known for blending reggaeton, trap and eclectic production, he has become one of the world’s most-streamed artists and a frequent collaborator across genres. His 2026 album Debí Tirar Más Fotos was framed by the artist as a personal return to roots and identity rather than a campaign for awards, a distinction he has emphasized when discussing his recent recognition.
The Super Bowl halftime stage has grown into a global cultural moment that often spotlights mainstream and cross-cultural acts; Bad Bunny previously appeared on the Super Bowl LIV stage in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. NFL halftime presentations now strive to combine mass appeal with statements about identity and spectacle, and organizers have expanded accessibility features, including signed performances and multilingual interpretation.
Main Event
At the Apple Music news conference, Bad Bunny walked in to his 2017 single “Chambea” and answered questions through a mix of English and Spanish. He repeatedly framed the upcoming show as a celebration for his family, longtime supporters and the broader Latino community rather than a personal milestone. Press hosts Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden led the session, which began with pregame performer interviews at 10 a.m. Pacific and attracted a line of credentialed media well before doors opened.
Asked what viewers should expect, Bad Bunny promised “a huge party” and that his culture will be central, while declining to provide staging details or confirm surprise guests. He emphasized creation and connection as his guiding priorities: making music, enjoying the process and linking with audiences. When student journalists asked about early supporters, he singled out his mother, crediting her belief in him as pivotal to his path.
The Super Bowl pregame slate includes Charlie Puth performing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile singing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Deaf performing artist Fred Beam will present the national anthem in American Sign Language, and Julian Ortiz will sign “America the Beautiful.” Green Day will mark the game’s 60th anniversary with a pregame set, and signing for pregame and halftime will be coordinated by Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.
Analysis & Implications
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl slot comes at a moment when Latin music’s commercial and cultural footprint in the U.S. is larger than ever. The Grammy milestone — an all–Spanish album winning album of the year — signals mainstream recognition that can expand audience expectations for future awards and programming. For the NFL and producers, programming an artist whose work is primarily Spanish-language presents both an opportunity to broaden viewership and a logistical challenge for staging, promotion and accessibility.
The performative choices Bad Bunny makes could influence how multinational pop acts present culture on large sport-entertainment platforms going forward. Emphasizing Puerto Rican sign language and multilingual signing in the production reflects growing attention to inclusion and could set new standards for big events. Commercially, a high-profile halftime show typically boosts streaming, catalog sales and ticket interest for an artist already commanding large audiences on tour.
Politically and socially, the presence of a Spanish-language cultural centerpiece during a major U.S. broadcast contributes to conversations about representation and language in mass media. While some viewers may focus on language as a barrier, Bad Bunny’s repeated reassurance that fans do not need to speak Spanish to enjoy the performance underscores a strategy of cultural translation through rhythm, staging and spectacle.
Comparison & Data
| Year | Album of the Year | Halftime Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Various (Bad Bunny appeared as guest on Super Bowl LIV) | Bad Bunny performed as a guest with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira |
| 2026 | Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Bad Bunny) | Headlining Super Bowl halftime one week after Grammy win |
The table places the 2026 milestone in context: this is the first time an all–Spanish-language album received album of the year, and Bad Bunny returns to the Super Bowl stage after a guest appearance in 2020. Historically, halftime appearances have boosted streaming and social engagement for featured artists within days of the broadcast.
Reactions & Quotes
“I’m excited, but I feel more excited about the people than even me — my family, my friends, the people who have always believed in me,”
Bad Bunny, Apple Music event
Bad Bunny framed the show as a communal moment rather than a personal triumph, underscoring the cultural focus he intends for the set.
“This is pretty much the top of the top,”
Coco Jones, on performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Pregame performers described the Super Bowl platform as a pinnacle, signaling the event’s enduring prestige among artists from diverse backgrounds.
Unconfirmed
- Specific staging elements and choreography for Bad Bunny’s halftime set have not been confirmed by the artist or producers.
- Reports of particular guest performers remain speculative until organizers or the artist provide official announcements.
Bottom Line
Bad Bunny’s halftime performance arrives at the intersection of a historic Grammy win and a global sporting stage, amplifying the cultural conversation around language, representation and mainstream recognition. He has positioned the show as a communal celebration rooted in Puerto Rican culture rather than a showcase of awards or milestones. For viewers and industry observers, the production will be watched for both its artistic choices and its impact on inclusion and accessibility in large-scale broadcasts.
In the days after the Super Bowl, measurable indicators — streaming gains, social engagement and critical response — will clarify the commercial and cultural effects of pairing a Spanish-language album winner with the NFL’s flagship entertainment moment. Until organizers disclose production details and surprise guests, much of the performance’s finer shape will remain intentionally under wraps.
Sources
- Associated Press (news agency) — original report of the Apple Music event and Super Bowl preview.
- The Recording Academy / Grammys (official) — confirmation of 2026 Album of the Year winner.
- Apple Music (industry/host) — host of the press event featuring Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden.