Forget a simple halftime event. Bad Bunny's setlist was a cultural game changer. After months of planning and marketing, the artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio delivered an interactive celebration of Latino culture at one of the most contentious times for the community in the United States.
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance featured guest appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, along with several cameos of Latin artists who were part of his celebratory stage setup. After opening with his 2022 hit "titi me pregunto" and odes to Puerto Rico and the Latin community, he closed out with DtMF (Debi tirar mas fotos, which translates to I should've taken more pictures), leading a large crowd of guests like a host leading a paranda during Christmas before holding up a football that read "Together, we are America."
Throughout the show, he showcased many elements that resonated with Latino culture, such as a live band, a taco stand, a nail tech doing someone's nails, ordering a piragua (shaved ice), friends and family playing dominoes, and more in a wedding reception scene. All of this while singing, dancing, and wearing a white football jersey that read his last name, "Ocasio," on the back with the number 64, potentially a nod to his mother's birth year, 1964.
He already made history as the headliner for Super Bowl 60 just one week after winning the Grammy for Album of the Year. A Grammy winner and former Super Bowl performer herself, Lady Gaga was there to celebrate Bad Bunny's recent win and called him a "brilliant musician," along with Ricky Martin in a second superstar collaboration.
Martin, another Puerto Rican global pop star, praised Bad Bunny after his Grammy wins in an open letter in El Nuevo Dia, a Puerto Rican newspaper, perhaps opening the door to a collaboration with the current island star at the Super Bowl.
"I know what it means to succeed without letting go of where you come from. I know how heavy it is, what it costs, and what is sacrificed when you decide not to change because others ask you to. That's why what you have achieved is not just a historic musical accomplishment, it's a cultural and human victory," Martin wrote.
"You won without changing the color of your voice. You won without erasing your roots. You won by staying true to Puerto Rico."
As for the game, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots, 29-13 after carrying a 9-0 lead into the locker room for the extended halftime. The Patriots were viewed as underdogs, with young quarterback Drake Maye leading a team many argued reached the big game thanks to an easy schedule and playoff path. Still, New England, came alive late in the second half, scoring all their points in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks defense was certainly tough, but the Patriots were more complete than some gave them credit for.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, were widely considered one of -- if not the -- best teams in football this season. Quarterback Sam Darnold has enjoyed a career resurgence, and Seattle's defense was dominant once again during their biggest game of the year.
While the game may have captivated Seahawks and Patriots fans, Bad Bunny captured the attention of casual and die-hard sports viewers around the globe. His progression from present to past to everlasting culture told a story bigger than any canvas and any single song, and included a message. The only thing more powerful than hate is love.
Bad Bunny was announced as the headliner earlier in the season, but the Puerto Rican singer didn't announce any special guests ahead of time, leaving fans to spend months guessing. Months ago, anyone who predicted the guests to share the stage would be Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin might've also been playing the long shot vibe that was Patriots-Seahawks.
Lady Gaga was the first guest to make an appearance, performing her hit, "Die With a Smile," that she put a Spanish twist on. Lady Gaga has now performed at the Super Bowl three times, once as the national anthem singer, once as a halftime show headliner and now as a halftime show guest. Martin then took the stage to perform "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii" (What Happened to Hawaii).
Gaga and Martin weren't the only famous faces on the field. Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G and Jessica Alba were all seen dancing outside Bad Bunny's casita.
As promised, understanding Spanish was not needed to enjoy the halftime show. Former NFL star J.J. Watt said it best, it was all about the vibes. But it was also about much more than that.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared it "Bad Bunny Day" to celebrate the Puerto Rican star, an honor that is not handed to just anyone. While the show was happening, the three-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces posted about dancing to "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS." Across the country, American comedian and TV host Jimmy Fallon watched while wearing a pava, a traditional Puerto Rican hat. It might seem like a small thing, but the popularity of the hat means Benito has succeeded in sharing his culture with others -- and also that others are embracing it.
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson thanked Benito after his performance. Many others did too, including Elmo -- yes, that Elmo -- who called Benito a "Good Bunny." This is a cultural movement, but not just a Latino one. This one was for everyone.
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was a different kind of force than the event has typically seen. It was a deep look at the raw influence of Latin identity. The first solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show performing almost exclusively in Spanish, the 13-minute performance wasn't just a concert, but a vibrant, defiant, and moving cultural statement full of symbolism and messaging.
The entire performance transported viewers through multiple facets of Latin culture, beginning with a field set up similar to his "No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí" concert residency in Puerto Rico. Bad Bunny navigated through a stylized town square reminiscent of the island, displaying several aspects of community life.
He walked with and past field workers in traditional straw pavas (hats) while engaging with vendors who sold piraguas (shaved ice), jewelry, nail services and tacos. All while peeking in on a game of dominos, with boxers training in the corner, and an actual wedding reception. It was representative and acknowledged only some of the contributions, offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of Latin communities.
In an era where the language itself can be politicized, Bad Bunny's halftime show was not only a triumph but a milestone validation. In America, Latin culture, its music, foods, and language, is part of the cultural fabric.
Along with Ricky Martin, several of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl 60 halftime guests are soaking up the evening's performance and making sure to lock up the memories.
Top Rank Boxing posted a picture of Emiliano Vargas and Xander Zayas, who featured in the halftime set.
Zayas made sure to get an autograph from Bad Bunny on his shorts
For those who wagered on the popular prop, Mike Macdonald was showered in yellow for leading the Seahawks to a 29-13 win over the Patriots.
Last year, the Eagles also dumped yellow Gatorade on head coach Nick Sirianni.
Not too bad! Bad Bunny promised a party and he delivered. He played many of his hit songs including the opener "Tití Me Preguntó," and the closer "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS." Both were in my predictions list, along with many others. Only two of the predicted songs did not make it into the actually show: "LA MuDANZA" and "I Like It" with Cardi B — which was a bit of a long shot because he had already done that song with Shakira during the 2020 halftime show.
"Gasolina" was technically a part of the show but Daddy Yankee did not perform. I definitely had the most misses in the guest predictions, but to be fair, hardly anybody saw Lady Gaga coming.
Veteran pop icon Ricky Martin takes time to post on social media about his guest appearance with Bad Bunny during halftime, saying " They need to give me several hours to even begin processing the tsunami of emotions I'm feeling," before thanking Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga.
Super Bowl champion Victor Cruz said Bad Bunny "bodied the Super Bowl."
The 2026 Formula 1 season will see the addition of an 11th team on the track with Cadillac joining the paddock. The team has already announced Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as its drivers, and Cadillac just hyped up its arrival with a Super Bowl commercial featuring some iconic words from JFK.
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson thanked Benito.
Budda Baker doesn't need to know Spanish to appreciate the halftime show.
Shady also didn't need to understand the words to love the show.
Ben Stiller loved the performance.
Frankie Grande, Ariana Grande's brother, showed his love for the performers.
He had been carrying one throughout segments of his performance. To close the show, he finally held it up to the camera, revealing four words: "Together, We Are America."
"We're still here," he said in Spanish before walking off the field while his last song of the night, "DtMF," played in the background.
NASCAR's Bubba Wallace says, "What a proud moment it must be for the Puerto Rican community!! I enjoyed that!"
The Super Bowl 60 performers pose after taking the stage.
Benito took representation quite literally. He featured real businesses during his halftime show performance.
Super Bowl champion and former New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty posts a photo with a Puerto Rican flag.
Was there any doubt we were going to get the classic Clydesdales again this year? If you followed our Super Bowl commercial teasers piece, there was literally zero doubt.
Budweiser really leaned into the "America" of it all with 2026 bringing with it the country's 250th birthday. I got a kick out of it for two reasons. One, who doesn't love an eagle riding on a horse's back? Two, "Free Bird" just happens to be the official goal song of USA Hockey in this Olympic year.
Bad Bunny is truly for everyone, including Elmo! The loveable Sesame Street resident who thought the halftime show was so enjoyable that the artist should change his name to Good Bunny.
Former NFL star J.J. Watt did not understand the lyrics to the Bad Bunny halftime show, but it didn't stop him from enjoying the vibe.
Kacey Musgraves shows support for Bad Bunny, saying his show made her "feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has done," referencing the alternate halftime show Kid Rock headlined.
Now it's time to decode everything about the half-time show. During the halftime show, in the celebratory wedding scene featuring a couple and a wedding cake, Bad Bunny's rep confirmed to Variety that it was a real wedding.
The 31-year-old hit the field donning an all-cream look designed by Zara, according to Vogue.
He sported a collared shirt and tie underneath a jersey with "Ocasio 64" on the back, leaving fans speculating about what the number could mean.
After the historic halftime show, New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson showed his appreciating for Benito.
Comedian and television host Jimmy Fallon posted a photo wearing a pava (a traditional Puerto Rican hat) and holding a coconut to celebrate Bad Bunny. His caption was "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS."
And there we have it. After "CAFé CON RON," Benito closes with "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS." He is surrounded by a crowd as he sings and walks off the field in a moment of unison.
Before he leaves, he holds a football with the message: "Together we are America"
The lights are flickering as Bad Bunny sings El Apagón, which translates to power outage. Sparks are flying, literally.
An incredible moment where Ricky Martin joins the show to sing a bit of "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii" (What Happened to Hawaii), a song that draws parallels to the history of Hawaii's past history with the United States.
Hello, New York? Benito falls into a crowd and he is now singing "NUEVAYoL." There is a sweet moment in which young Benito receives his Grammy.
After some lovely odes to Daddy Yankee's Gasolina and Don Omar's DALE, Lady Gaga performs a bit of Die with a Smile with the live band behind her. She then dances with Bad Bunny as he performs baile inolvidable.
This is certainly a dance party. Benito is bringing Puerto Rico to Levi's Stadium with La Casita. Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba are amongst those dancing in the iconic pink house.
An absolute anthem for the ladies!... part of his 2020 run of albums.
Vamos! That sound can only mean one thing... Tití Me Preguntó is the first song Bad Bunny performs for this historic halftime show. It has become incredibly popular with a wide audience, even with non-spanish speakers.
