The Super Bowl Halftime Show has always been the ultimate apex of global entertainment, but on February 8, 2026, Bad Bunny didn't just perform, he made history.
As the first solo Latin artist to headline the world’s most-watched stage primarily in Spanish, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio turned Levi's Stadium into a vibrant, high-concept celebration of Puerto Rican culture.
Coming off a historic Album of the Year win at the Grammys just a week prior, the stakes were sky-high. The performance was a 13-minute cinematic tour de force that bridged the gap between the rural traditions of the Caribbean and the futuristic glitz of the NFL.
It wasn't just a concert; it was a defiant statement of identity that captivated millions of people around the world, with an estimated viewer count of 135 million. Here are the ten most legendary moments from the "Benito Bowl" that redefined the digital age of music.
Bad Bunny opened his set with a visually stunning tribute to his roots, emerging from a hyper-realistic reconstruction of Puerto Rican sugarcane fields. Instead of a flashy pyrotechnic entrance, he began by walking through faux furrows of crops, surrounded by "jíbaros" (rural farmers) in traditional straw pavas. This set piece immediately grounded the high-tech Super Bowl stage in the agricultural history of the island.
As the opening chords of "Tití Me Preguntó" echoed through Santa Clara, the contrast between the humble imagery and the massive stadium energy was palpable. It was a bold choice that prioritized storytelling over spectacle, proving that his global dominance is inseparable from his local identity. This entrance set the tone for a night that was as much a documentary of Boricua life as it was a pop performance.
In a surreal moment of performance art that felt more like a high-concept film than a concert, Bad Bunny transitioned into the orchestral strings of "MONACO" to reveal a full-scale, traditional wedding scene unfolding on the 50-yard line. The field was transformed into a lavish ceremony where a reportedly legitimate bride and groom exchanged vows in front of millions, emphasizing the show's core theme of love as a universal, unstoppable force.
Serving as the ultimate master of ceremonies, Benito took on the role of the official witness, stepping forward to sign the couple's marriage certificate in a gesture of communal celebration. This blend of high-fashion theatricality and authentic Caribbean wedding traditions turned the stadium into an intimate "huge party," making the audience feel like invited guests at a sacred family event. By centering a real-time union at the heart of the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny effectively humanized the massive spectacle, proving that even on the world’s biggest stage, the most powerful stories are the ones that celebrate our shared human connections.
During a powerful performance of "El Apagón," the show took a sharp political turn to address the real-life struggles of Puerto Rico. Performers climbed massive electricity pylons that flickered and sparked, symbolizing the island's decaying energy grid and frequent blackouts. The entire stadium suddenly plunged into total darkness, mimicking the frequent power outages that have plagued Puerto Rico for years. A silent message appeared on the massive 360-degree LED screens: "Protesta es Patria."
For thirty seconds, the only light came from the fans' cell phones, creating a chilling, somber atmosphere. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the heavy bass of "El Apagón," and the stadium exploded into a strobe-lit frenzy of red, blue, and white which are the colors of the Puerto Rican flag. This wasn't just a musical transition; it was a political and social statement broadcast to hundreds of millions. Benito used his "Main Character" moment to highlight the resilience of his people, turning a festive party into a powerful act of resistance.
Fans of Bad Bunny’s legendary Puerto Rican residency immediately recognized the "casita" (little house) as it re-emerged on the field. Benito performed "Yo Perreo Sola" from the top of the structure, which functioned as a mobile stage that moved through the crowd. This set piece served as a tribute to the everyday homes of the island, contrasting the grandeur of Levi's Stadium with the simplicity of the neighborhoods that raised him.
As he danced on the roof, the "casita" became a symbol of home and safety in a foreign land. The imagery was nostalgic yet powerful, effectively bringing the "pari" (party) of San Juan to Northern California. This moment resonated deeply with the diaspora, who saw their own lives reflected in the centerpiece of the world's most-watched sporting event.
At a pivotal moment in the set, the iconic beat of Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” blared through the stadium as Bad Bunny crashed through the "roof" of his set. Although Daddy Yankee didn't appear for this specific track, the inclusion of the song was a deliberate and respectful nod to the reggaeton pioneer who laid the global foundation for Benito’s career. It served as a historical "shout-out," acknowledging that today’s Latin music dominance was a decades-long journey.
The energy in the stadium shifted instantly as the crowd erupted for the genre's most famous anthem. By weaving the history of the "Big Boss" into his own performance, Bad Bunny signaled that his success is a collective victory for the entire movement. It was a brief but loud celebration of the sounds that originally brought Spanish-language music into the American mainstream.
In a move that turned the Super Bowl field into the world’s most exclusive backyard party, Bad Bunny populated his set with a "who’s who" of high-profile extras and celebrity dancers. The centerpiece of this gathering was La Casita, a stylized pink-and-yellow Puerto Rican home where stars like Cardi B and Jessica Alba were spotted grooving on the front porch. Cardi B, a past collaborator of Benito’s, traded her usual spotlight for a more laid-back role, dancing alongside other A-listers to the heavy bass of "Yo Perreo Sola."
Jessica Alba joined the "vibe" as well, dressed in a chic, corseted look that blended high fashion with the street-party aesthetic. This curated group of "neighbors", which also included Pedro Pascal, Karol G, and influencer Alix Earle, wasn't just a collection of cameos; it was a visual statement of Latino excellence and global community. By placing these icons in the context of a humble neighborhood porch, Bad Bunny effectively humanized his superstardom, proving that the greatest "Main Character" moments are the ones shared with friends.
In a moment that felt like a powerful passing of the torch, the "King of Latin Pop" himself, Ricky Martin, emerged on stage to join Bad Bunny for a historic performance of "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii." This wasn't just a cameo; it was a curated display of Puerto Rican excellence that bridged the gap between the 1999 "Latin Explosion" and the global dominance of 2026.
The sight of both icons from two different generations, turned Levi's Stadium into a definitive cultural summit, reinforcing Bad Bunny’s role as a unifier capable of commanding the respect of the industry’s most legendary figures. As Martin danced across the stage with his signature polished energy, he brought a classic flavor to the set that reminded the world that while the sound of the genre has evolved, the heartbeat of the movement remains as vibrant as ever.
In what became the most unexpected crossover of the night after the high-concept wedding scene on stage, Lady Gaga emerged as the wedding singer in a breathtaking avant-garde gown featuring a "maga" (Puerto Rico’s national flower) integrated into the bodice. Together, they performed a salsa-infused rendition of her hit "Die With a Smile," backed by a live 20-piece tropical orchestra.
Gaga’s effortless transition into Latin rhythms highlighted her immense versatility and served as a masterclass in cross-cultural collaboration. In a surreal moment of performance art, Benito merged Gaga’s signature theatrics with his vision of a "huge party" that felt both intimate and global. This segment became a viral sensation, proving that the Super Bowl stage can still deliver genuine, jaw-dropping surprises when two of the world's most creative "Main Characters" join forces.
To navigate the NFL's strict field-protection rules, Bad Bunny utilized a clever and viral solution: three hundred and eighty performers dressed as living greenery. These "dancing bushes" and sugarcane stalks filled the furrows of the stage, swaying in time with the music to create the illusion of a lush, breathing landscape. Initially appearing as static props, the bushes came to life during the high-energy transitions, adding a surreal and hypnotic layer to the choreography.
This creative use of human performers as living scenery was praised by directors for its ingenuity. It allowed for a massive "green" footprint on the field without the need for heavy, damaging equipment. The visual of a field of sugarcane suddenly breaking into a reggaeton dance was one of the most shared clips of the night, highlighting the show's blend of organic and digital artistry.
Toward the end of the set, Bad Bunny delivered a rare but impactful address in English, shouting "God Bless America!" before immediately redefining the term. He proceeded with a passionate "roll call" of nations across the continents, including Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and the United States, reminding the audience that "America" encompasses more than just one country.
Behind him, a parade of flags from these nations marched through the sugarcane fields, creating a powerful image of hemispheric unity. This was a direct challenge to the "culture war" rhetoric that had surrounded his selection as headliner. By holding up a football that read "Together, we are America," he positioned himself not as an outsider, but as a representative of a larger, interconnected world. It was a calm, simple statement that resonated as a message of empowerment and inclusion.
As the final notes of the plena faded, it was clear that Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX Halftime Show had achieved the impossible: it turned the most American of stages into a revolutionary celebration of Latin identity. In a world of curated algorithms, Benito brought a messy, beautiful, and deeply political energy that felt radically authentic. He proved that language is not a barrier to connection, setting a new all-time viewership record for a halftime performance. By the time he walked off the pitch at Levi's Stadium, he hadn't just entertained the masses; he had dismantled decades of stereotypes and replaced them with a vision of a unified "America." Long after the 2026 season ends, this performance will be remembered as the moment the "Main Character" of global music officially took his throne.