Get ready, music fans! Bad Bunny is officially set to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show in 2026. This news has electrified fans around the globe, confirming months of whispers and hopes.
The "Moscow Mule" singer, whose real name is Benito Antonio MartÃnez Ocasio, shared the big news himself. He posted a video on Instagram last Sunday, September 28. In the clip, the 31-year-old artist looked sharp in a custom suit. The camera pulled back to show him perched high on an NFL goalpost. His caption kept it simple and direct: "Super Bowl LX. Bay Area. February 2026. #AppleMusicHalftime."
The news got another official nod during Sunday Night Football. It aired during the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys, broadcast on NBC.
After the announcement, Bad Bunny told Billboard he felt deeply honored. "What I feel goes beyond words," he shared in a statement. "This is for those who came before me. They ran countless yards so I could step in and score a touchdown." He added a powerful message: "This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Go tell your grandma, we’re going to be the Super Bowl Halftime Show."
Before the Announcement: The Taylor Swift Rumors
Before this big reveal, another pop superstar was on everyone’s mind. Many fans thought Taylor Swift would get the 2026 Super Bowl gig. They found what they believed were "Easter eggs" during her August debut on the "New Heights" podcast. This show is hosted by NFL star Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce.
Swift, 35, told listeners she thinks about sourdough "60 percent of the time." She had just picked up bread baking as a hobby. Fans quickly connected this to Super Bowl LX, the 60th NFL championship. That game will be at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers. Their mascot? Sourdough Sam.
The number 47 also popped up twice in her chat. She thanked Jason for "yelling for, like, 47 seconds" during her introduction. She also joked about visiting "47,000" countries on The Eras Tour. Coincidentally, her 47th show of that tour happened at Levi’s Stadium in July 2023. Adding to the number game, Swift’s favorite digit is 13. The 2026 Super Bowl will take place during Travis Kelce’s 13th season in the NFL.
Fans also got excited when Swift got back the master rights to her first six albums in May. This meant her entire song catalog would be clear to use for a Super Bowl performance. During her podcast appearance, Swift even spoke about her past interest in halftime shows. She admitted, "I went to sporting events so I could sing the national anthem." For her, "everything was a means to an end to dedicate myself to music." She added, "I know all the Super Bowl halftime shows, but I didn’t watch sports."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also played into the buzz. He appeared on the Today show in September. He joked, "We would love to have Taylor perform." Goodell called her "a very, very special talent." He said she would "obviously be welcome at any time." When host Savannah Guthrie pressed him, Goodell gave a sly answer. He said, "I can’t tell you anything about that," adding, "it’s a maybe."
Goodell also pointed out that Jay-Z had a big say in the choice. Jay-Z’s company, Roc Nation, has produced the halftime show since 2020. Goodell said, "I’m waiting for my friend Jay-Z. It’s in his hands." He added, "I’m waiting for the smoke to come out," a nod to a traditional selection process.
Jay-Z, 55, finally spoke about the decision to bring in Bad Bunny. He shared with Billboard that "What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring." He added, "We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage."
Looking Back
Earlier this year, Kendrick Lamar wowed audiences at Super Bowl LIX. His February performance was at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. His set included a song called "Not Like Us," which some saw as a diss track to Drake. He also sang "Luther" and "All the Stars" with SZA. Famous faces like Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams even made cameos. The whole show quickly went viral.
The Apple Music Super Bowl LX halftime show will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 8, 2025. NBC will broadcast both the game and the much-anticipated performance.