Sorry, Swifties, but you won’t see “Bad Blood” at the Super Bowl next year. Instead, you’ll see Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican singer and rapper, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was confirmed on Monday as the headliner for the NFL’s game of games at California’s Levi’s Stadium on February 8, crushing rumors that pop juggernaut Taylor Swift could take the field.
“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bunny said in a statement obtained by Billboard. “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. [In Spanish] Go tell your grandma we’re going to be the Super Bowl Halftime Show.”
Swift Speculation and NFL’s Invitation
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had previously fueled speculation by expressing his desire to have Taylor Swift perform at the halftime show. “She is a special, special talent and obviously, she would be welcome at any time,” he said on the US Today show. This statement riled up Swifties, who were already buzzing about a possible Super Bowl-Swift moment, especially after Swift’s engagement to Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce in August.
Fans also believed that Swift dropped hints on Kelce’s New Heights podcast last month. Despite most attention being on her upcoming album “The Life of a Showgirl,” some fans noted her random reference to the number 47. Her 47th Eras Tour stop was at Levi’s Stadium, the venue for the next Super Bowl.
Financial Considerations and Other Rumored Performers
However, the financial dynamics of the Super Bowl performance may have played a role in Swift’s absence. Historically, Super Bowl performers have not been paid beyond a small, union-mandated rate, performing primarily for the exposure. Some speculate whether Swift, arguably the biggest pop star in the world, decided she didn’t need the exposure and desired a rate that better reflected her value. Notably, Swift and her team have not commented on the matter.
Alongside Swift, other artists like British singer Adele and Miley Cyrus were rumored to be potential performers. Adele, whose fiancé Rich Paul is a prominent US sports agent, reportedly passed on the halftime show offer several years ago.
Bad Bunny’s Rising Star
Shortly before the headliner was confirmed, Bad Bunny wrote on X that he planned to do just one show in the United States for his “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos” world tour, which kicks off in December. “I’ve been thinking about it these days, and after discussing it with my team, I think I’ll do just one date in the United States,” he wrote in Spanish. Soon after, the NFL and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation confirmed him as the headliner.
The Grammy-winning Latin trap artist has been on a remarkable trajectory, having completed his Puerto Rico residency that drew more than 500,000 fans. At just 31, he has already won three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys, and has starred in popular films such as “Bullet Train,” “Happy Gilmore 2,” and “Caught Stealing.” Some may also know him as “Saturday Night Live’s” go-to Shrek impersonator.
Looking Forward to Super Bowl LX
Bad Bunny will follow rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose Drake diss-infused performance at this year’s Super Bowl claimed 133.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched halftime show ever. The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show will take place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
This announcement sets the stage for a diverse and culturally rich halftime show, reflecting the growing influence of Latin music in mainstream American culture. As the date approaches, fans worldwide will be eagerly awaiting what promises to be a memorable performance.
