Bad Bunny took center stage at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a performance defined by high energy, vibrant visuals, and a strong emphasis on cultural identity and togetherness. The Puerto Rican artist, one of the world’s most-streamed musicians, became one of the few Latin artists to headline the globally watched event.
The performance followed a major milestone in Bad Bunny’s career, as just one week before the Super Bowl, he earned multiple Grammy Awards, most notably, Album of the Year. This, along with his dominant performance on music streaming services such as Spotify, where he was the world’s most-streamed artist, helped heighten anticipation for his halftime performance.
The performance opened with an immediate burst of sound and movement, setting the tone for a production built around rhythm, choreography, and visual storytelling. Accompanied by a large ensemble of dancers, Bad Bunny moved through a medley of hits that highlighted his signature blend of reggaeton, Latin trap, and pop influences, with Lady Gaga joining him as a guest performer.
Rather than relying on elaborate stage gimmicks or surprise-driven spectacle, the show leaned heavily on coordinated dance sequences and colorful set pieces. The staging evoked scenes of community and celebration, with visuals that emphasized social connection and shared experience.
A notable aspect of the performance was Bad Bunny’s decision to perform primarily in Spanish. While multilingual performances are not uncommon at large-scale events, a Spanish-dominant halftime show remains relatively rare. The choice reflected Bad Bunny’s consistent approach to maintaining his artistic identity on international platforms.
The choreography and production design reinforced themes of unity and joy. Dancers filled the stage with synchronized movements, and the visual palette featured bright colors and dynamic transitions. The performance maintained a continuous pace, with minimal breaks between songs. In addition to its beautiful visual palette, the show explored many themes of Puerto Rican culture and heritage. The set featured grassy fields, a bustling (and real) Latino wedding, and a Spanish Mercado. Each of these elements was purposefully and intentionally placed to invoke a feeling of Puerto Rican culture and make Latinos at home and around the world feel recognized.
Thematically, the show emphasized positivity and inclusion. The tone remained celebratory throughout, with visuals and staging that suggested togetherness rather than dramatic tension. The closing moments featured imagery centered on connection and shared humanity, with the quote “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” displayed around the stadium.
Reactions to the halftime show were mixed but widely engaged. Many viewers praised the performance’s energy, choreography, and representation of Latino culture on a global stage. Others debated musical preferences and stylistic choices, reflecting the broad and diverse Super Bowl audience. Even though many members of the community may have disagreed with the show’s premise or disliked it, the numbers show it was the second-most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history. 128.2 million people tuned in to watch, and the overall game also had the most views ever, with 137.8 million viewers, nearly 1/3 of the U.S. population. Of viewers, 4.8 million watched in Spanish, the most in Super Bowl history, demonstrating Bad Bunny’s reach and influence over the Latino community.
The Super Bowl halftime show remains one of the most-watched musical events of the year, often reflecting broader trends in music and popular culture. This year’s performance highlighted the global reach of Latin music and the increasing presence of international artists in traditionally U.S.-centered events.
Bad Bunny’s appearance marked another milestone in his career, underscoring his crossover appeal and status as a major figure in contemporary music.
