Sorry, Swifties. Congrats, Bunnies.
Bad Bunny has been named the Super Bowl 60 halftime show performer for the upcoming game on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL,” Bad Bunny said in a statement.
The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation made the announcement during the Sunday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys — following weeks of speculation that Taylor Swift might be named the halftime performer.
But it’s the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican singer who will make a return to the Super Bowl for the Apple Music halftime show, becoming the first solo Latino performer to do so.
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was the third-most played artist on Spotify in 2024, according to the music streamer. His most recent album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” (I Should Have Taken More Photos), debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in January.
Bad Bunny debuted at the Super Bowl in 2020, joining Jennifer Lopez and Shakira on stage during the halftime performance at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
He returns as the headliner for what will be yet another high-profile appearance. The 31-year-old recently starred in “Happy Gilmore 2” and is set to host the season premiere of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” on Oct. 4.
Bad Bunny kicks off a 57-date world tour beginning on Nov. 21 in the Dominican Republic, having recently concluded his “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” (“I Don’t Want To Leave Here”) concert residency in his home country at José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum of Puerto Rico.
“It’s the best experience that I ever had in my life, in my career,” he previously told NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas about spotlighting his beloved culture and heritage. “It’s more than a show. It’s more than a concert. It’s the culture right there, people all love each other, singing together. It’s something magical.”
He’ll now bring that magic to the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl halftime headliner has been selected by hop-hop legend Jay-Z every year since his entertainment company, Roc Nation, partnered with the NFL in 2019.
“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,” Jay-Z said in a statement.
Last season, the league named Kendrick Lamar the headliner for Super Bowl LIX on Sept. 8.
The delay in this year’s announcement added to the speculation that the league was in discussions with Swift to perform. Swift, of course, has attended the last two Super Bowls to support her now fiancé Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Super Bowl will be just four months after the release of her upcoming album “The Life of a Showgirl.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, during an interview on TODAY earlier this month, didn’t rule out the possibility of Swift taking the stage at the Super Bowl.
“We would always love to have Taylor play. She is a special, special talent, and obviously she would be welcome at any time,” Goodell said.
Instead it will be Bad Bunny who takes the stage for the milestone Super Bowl, which airs on NBC and streams on Peacock.
“Bad Bunny represents the global energy and cultural vibrancy that define today’s music scene,” Jon Barker, SVP of Global Event Production for the NFL, said in a statement. “As one of the most influential and streamed artists in the world, his unique ability to bridge genres, languages, and audiences makes him an exciting and natural choice to take the Super Bowl halftime stage. We know his dynamic performances, creative vision, and deep connection with fans will deliver the kind of unforgettable experience we’ve come to expect from this iconic cultural moment.”
Ashley Chaparro contributed to this report
When and where is Super Bowl 60? Here’s what to know about the NFL’s Big Game.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
No responses yet