• Bad Bunny revealed he was mid-workout when Jay-Z called to confirm his Super Bowl LX halftime performance.
• The Puerto Rican superstar becomes the first solo Latino artist to headline the show in NFL history.
• His Feb. 8, 2026 performance marks his only scheduled U.S. appearance amid ongoing tour safety concerns.

SAN JUAN, PR (TDR) — Bad Bunny didn’t need pre-workout after the call that changed everything. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican superstar was in the middle of a gym session when Jay-Z rang to confirm what millions had been anticipating: he would headline the 2026 Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.

“After the call, I just did like a hundred pull-ups,” Bad Bunny told Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 Monday, one day after the NFL, Roc Nation and Apple Music made the joint announcement. “I didn’t need more pre-workout shit or whatever. It was so special.”

The Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, becomes the first solo Latino performer to headline the most-watched musical event in American television history.

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Five Years in the Making

Bad Bunny’s path to the Super Bowl stage began in 2020, when he appeared alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez during their co-headlining performance. That cameo planted seeds for something bigger.

Now he gets the stage to himself.

“I was keeping this secret for so long and it felt good. I’m really excited for my friends, my family, Puerto Rico — all the Latino people around the world. I’m excited about my culture, not just for me.”

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The Feb. 8, 2026 performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, arrives during a milestone year for the artist. He released his latest album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” in January and recently wrapped a historic 31-date residency at El Choli arena in San Juan.

Political Undertones and Safety Concerns

The announcement carries weight beyond entertainment. Bad Bunny’s selection has sparked backlash from conservative circles, with critics pointing to his past political stances and vocal support for Puerto Rican causes.

The halftime show represents Bad Bunny’s only scheduled U.S. appearance during his 2026 world tour. According to reports, the artist deliberately avoided booking American dates due to concerns about ICE potentially targeting his concerts or attendees.

That context makes his Super Bowl selection more significant. On American soil, performing for an audience of over 100 million viewers, Bad Bunny will represent not just Puerto Rico but Latino identity on the world’s biggest stage.

Jay-Z’s Vision Realized

Roc Nation founder Jay-Z, who has partnered with the NFL since 2019 to produce the halftime show, praised the selection:

“What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”

For Bad Bunny, the opportunity transcends personal achievement. Speaking to Lowe, he emphasized the cultural significance of his performance.

“I say, this is for everyone,” Bad Bunny promised. “This is for all the people who believe in me and have been supporting me.”

Breaking Barriers

As the most-streamed artist in the world, Bad Bunny brings a global fanbase that extends far beyond traditional NFL demographics. His music blends reggaeton, Latin trap and pop influences, creating a sound that has dominated streaming platforms for years.

The halftime show announcement comes at a moment when Latino representation in mainstream American entertainment continues evolving. Bad Bunny’s performance will be watched by millions who rarely hear Spanish during primetime broadcast television.

Whether his set includes surprise guests or focuses solely on his catalog, the performance promises to be historic and potentially controversial.

For now, Bad Bunny is focused on delivering a show worthy of the moment. That hundred pull-ups after Jay-Z’s call? Just the beginning of his preparation.

Will Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show change how Latino artists are viewed in mainstream American entertainment? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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