Published: February 23, 2026
On Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, six-time Grammy Award winner and 2025’s most-streamed artist in the world, Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio), took the stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The Puerto Rican artist performed for approximately 70,000 fans watching the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots battle it out on the field. An additional 128.2 million viewers in the United States alone watched the performance on television.
Bad Bunny’s halftime show, affectionately nicknamed the “Benito Bowl” by fans, ranked among the most-watched halftime shows in history. While final viewership figures are still being confirmed, early estimates place it fourth all-time, just behind record-setting performances by Kendrick Lamar, Michael Jackson, and Usher. The 2026 show generated more than 4 billion social media views and surpassed 69 million views on YouTube within its first 72 hours.
However, not everyone was a fan of the performance, as public reaction appeared divided. Turning Point USA, the organization founded by right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, organized an alternative halftime show. They referred to this as the “All-American” halftime show, despite Bad Bunny himself being American.
The alternative halftime show for Super Bowl LX garnered approximately 5 to 6.1 million concurrent viewers on YouTube during the live broadcast. Total YouTube views for the Kid Rock–led performance exceeded 19 million by Monday morning.
Many viewers strongly supported Bad Bunny and his performance, with one social media user quipping, “‘I don’t speak Spanish.’ You also can’t run a football 47 yards, but you watch that.”
The halftime show highlighted Puerto Rican history and identity through symbolic visuals and scenes, including sugarcane fields, traditional homes, and neighborhood celebrations. It emphasized family bonds and community life, portraying cultural traditions and showcasing resilience and togetherness within Latin and immigrant communities.
Celebrity appearances, including Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Cardi B, Lady Gaga, and Ricky Martin, reinforced the celebratory, cross-cultural spirit. A real wedding ceremony staged during the show underscored themes of love and family. Musical segments also addressed serious issues affecting Puerto Rico.
The finale focused on continental unity, with dancers carrying flags from countries across the Americas while the message “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” could be seen behind Bad Bunny. The performance functioned as both a celebration of Puerto Rican heritage and a broader call for unity, inclusion, and love in the world.
