Bad Bunny to headline Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show

Bad Bunny has been officially announced as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, ending months of speculation about who would take music’s biggest stage on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation revealed the Puerto Rican superstar’s selection during halftime of Sunday Night Football’s matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers on September 28. The announcement came after widespread rumors that Taylor Swift might perform, but reports emerged just days earlier that the pop superstar had declined the opportunity after negotiations reportedly stalled over her demands.eonline

Global Superstar Brings Latin Flair to NFL’s Premier Stage

At 31, Bad Bunny will become the first Latin artist to solo headline a Super Bowl halftime show, marking a historic moment for representation in the NFL’s most-watched entertainment segment. “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “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”.apnews

Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, which has curated Super Bowl halftime shows since 2019, praised the selection. “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring,” he said. “We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage”.espn

The choice comes during a banner year for Bad Bunny, who recently completed a groundbreaking 30-show residency at Puerto Rico’s José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, drawing more than 500,000 fans. He leads this year’s Latin Grammy nominations with 12 nods, surpassing producer Édgar Barrera, and his sixth studio album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” released in January, spent four weeks atop the Billboard 200.sfchronicle

Swift’s Reported Decline Opens Door for Historic Performance

Bad Bunny’s selection follows reports that Swift walked away from negotiations with the NFL after her demands weren’t met. According to industry insiders, Swift sought compensation beyond the standard union rates typically paid to halftime performers, as well as ownership of her performance footage. “She wasn’t asking for favors, she was asking for respect,” one music executive told gossip columnist Rob Shuter.yahoo

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had previously hinted at Swift’s potential involvement, calling her participation “a maybe” during a September appearance on NBC’s Today show. However, sources indicated that Swift, already at the height of her career with her record-breaking Eras Tour, didn’t need the exposure typically valued by halftime performers.usatoday

Bad Bunny’s performance will follow Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking halftime show in February, which drew 133.5 million viewers—the most-watched in Super Bowl history, surpassing Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance. The show will be produced by Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins, with Hamish Hamilton directing. Apple Music’s multi-year sponsorship deal with the NFL, reportedly worth $50 million annually, ensures the tech giant’s continued prominence in the NFL’s marquee entertainment event.apnews