Puerto Rican superstar delivers a spectacular celebration of Latino culture with help from guest stars who joined him at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara
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Puerto Rican superstar delivers a spectacular celebration of Latino culture with help from guest stars who joined him at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara
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Bad Bunny headlined the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show tonight at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, delivering a historic performance featuring surprise appearances by Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Pedro Pascal, and Jessica Alba.
The Puerto Rican megastar, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, became the first male solo Latin artist to perform the halftime show, as well as the first to perform their set entirely in Spanish.
His performance took place a week after his latest album, Debí Tirar Más Foto,s became the first Spanish-language record to win Album of the Year at the Grammys.
Accepting the prize, Bad Bunny denounced President Donald Trump’s administration for its expansion of immigration arrests, and said: “ICE out.”
Trump previously claimed he wouldn’t watch the Super Bowl, as he disapproves of Bad Bunny and Green Day, who performed before kick-off. However, on the night, the president said the halftime show was “an affront to the Greatness of America” in a lengthy post on Truth Social.
Follow live updates…
The Independent has recapped all the celebrity cameos you might have missed — from Pedro Pascal to Jessica Alba — in Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Plus, his setlist in full.
For those who got caught up in Benito Bowl, I’ve been reminded that a game of football is underway.
Our Sports Editor Jack Rathborn sums up how the game is going:
“This game is boiling down to the Patriots defense not just keeping their offense in this game, but ultimately they might need to do the scoring for them too.
“A 12-0 deficit, a pick or a forced fumble might lift the Pats? Maye is digging in, but there's no spark.
“Remember, there's never been a shutout in the Super Bowl, some unwanted history on the horizon unless the Pats come to life soon.”
At one point during the halftime show, the camera panned to a large stage featuring a bride and groom standing before a justice of the peace. The official appeared to pronounce them married, prompting fans to quickly question whether the ceremony was real.
A representative for Bad Bunny has now confirmed that the couple really did tie the knot on stage.
Talk about a wedding party.
Did anyone catch what was on Bad Bunny’s football?
Towards the end of the set, the Puerto Rican star was handed a ball with the words “Together, we are America” written on it.
He then said “God bless America” before listing the names of every country in the Americas.
Donald Trump posts to his Truth Social account:
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World. This “Show” is just a “slap in the face” to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day — including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History!
“There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show and watch, it will get great reviews from the Fake News Media, because they haven’t got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD — And, by the way, the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
1. Tití me preguntó (shortened)
2. Yo perreo sola (with “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR” ending - shortened)
4. Die With a Smile (with Lady Gaga) (with “MONACO” intro - shortened - salsa version)
5. BAILE INoLVIDABLE (shortened)
6. NUEVAYoL (shortened)
7. El apagón (with Ricky Martin) (with “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” intro sung by Ricky Martin - shortened)
8. DtMF (with “CAFé CON RON” intro - shortened)
It said ‘Together, we are America’
That was so beautiful. Also, I called the last song. Perfect. Loved the guests. Tiny bit sad Cardi B didn’t do “I Like It” but I guess that would have required an English-language bit. Perfect as it was.
The Independent has recapped all the celebrity cameos you might have missed — from Pedro Pascal to Jessica Alba — in Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Plus, his setlist in full.
For those who got caught up in Benito Bowl, I’ve been reminded that a game of football is underway.
Our Sports Editor Jack Rathborn sums up how the game is going:
“This game is boiling down to the Patriots defense not just keeping their offense in this game, but ultimately they might need to do the scoring for them too.
“A 12-0 deficit, a pick or a forced fumble might lift the Pats? Maye is digging in, but there's no spark.
“Remember, there's never been a shutout in the Super Bowl, some unwanted history on the horizon unless the Pats come to life soon.”
At one point during the halftime show, the camera panned to a large stage featuring a bride and groom standing before a justice of the peace. The official appeared to pronounce them married, prompting fans to quickly question whether the ceremony was real.
A representative for Bad Bunny has now confirmed that the couple really did tie the knot on stage.
Talk about a wedding party.
Did anyone catch what was on Bad Bunny’s football?
Towards the end of the set, the Puerto Rican star was handed a ball with the words “Together, we are America” written on it.
He then said “God bless America” before listing the names of every country in the Americas.
Donald Trump posts to his Truth Social account:
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.
“Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World. This “Show” is just a “slap in the face” to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day — including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History!
“There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show and watch, it will get great reviews from the Fake News Media, because they haven’t got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD — And, by the way, the NFL should immediately replace its ridiculous new Kickoff Rule. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
1. Tití me preguntó (shortened)
2. Yo perreo sola (with “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR” ending - shortened)
4. Die With a Smile (with Lady Gaga) (with “MONACO” intro - shortened - salsa version)
5. BAILE INoLVIDABLE (shortened)
6. NUEVAYoL (shortened)
7. El apagón (with Ricky Martin) (with “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” intro sung by Ricky Martin - shortened)
8. DtMF (with “CAFé CON RON” intro - shortened)
Bad Bunny delivered an energetic halftime show at the 2026 Super Bowl that celebrated Latin culture
Bad Bunny delivered an energetic halftime performance at the 2026 Super Bowl that celebrated Latin culture
Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga perform during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks
It said ‘Together, we are America’
That was so beautiful. Also, I called the last song. Perfect. Loved the guests. Tiny bit sad Cardi B didn’t do “I Like It” but I guess that would have required an English-language bit. Perfect as it was.
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