As the sun set, Bad Bunny made his entrance amidst a vivid staging reminiscent of Puerto Rico's sugar cane fields, surrounded by traditional figures such as jíbaros wearing pavas—rural farmers donning classic straw hats—and viejitos engaged in a game of dominos, a term affectionately used for elder men. A piragua stand, selling shaved ice, further emphasized the cultural touchstones from the artist’s Caribbean roots.
Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the Puerto Rican star brought an immersive experience of his heritage to the Super Bowl 60 halftime show, held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This event was always poised to represent a significant moment for Latino representation on one of the world's largest entertainment stages.
The performance launched with an energetic mix of reggaeton and more, featuring hits such as “Tití Me Preguntó” followed by “Yo Perreo Sola.” Bad Bunny appeared atop a casita—literally a "little house"—a nod to his Puerto Rican residency. A diverse group of guests, including Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Pedro Pascal, Karol G, Young Miko, Ronald Acuña Jr., Alix Earle, and Dave Grutman, attended the pari de marquesina, or house party, setting.
Midway, he dramatically burst through a roof as Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” briefly played, a clear tribute to the Puerto Rican artists who paved the way for his international success. Addressing the audience in Spanish, Bad Bunny said, "Mi nombre es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60, es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí y tú también deberías de creer en ti, vales más de lo que piensas." In English, this translates to, "My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I’m here today at Super Bowl 60 it’s because I never, ever stopped believing in myself and you should also believe in yourself, you’re worth more than you think."
The melodic strings of "Monaco" set the stage for a surprise guest appearance by Lady Gaga, who emerged in a realistic wedding scene, performing her share of the Bruno Mars duet "Die with a Smile." She was accompanied by the salsa band Los Sobrinos, and her gown displayed a maga, Puerto Rico’s national flower, adding symbolic depth to the moment.
During their joint performance, the pair ultimately got married on stage with Bad Bunny acting as their witness, even signing a marriage certificate. This segment allowed for a wardrobe change for Bad Bunny, who donned a classic white salsero suit to perform “Baile Inolvidable” and “NuevaYol” in a lively block party setting. Here, he shared a toast with Toñita, proprietor of the Caribbean Social Club in Brooklyn, one of the last remaining Puerto Rican social clubs in New York City.
Another notable segment featured Ricky Martin, regarded as one of Puerto Rico’s most significant crossover artists, performing Bad Bunny’s “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii.” The song is viewed as a call for cultural autonomy amid ongoing neocolonial pressures. Sitting in a plastic chair before a plantain tree—a visual reminiscent of Bad Bunny’s album cover for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" released in 2025—Martin’s presence was poignant. Jíbaros, wearing pavas, climbed power poles that erupted in symbolic explosions representing Puerto Rico’s recurrent power outages and fragile electrical infrastructure. This imagery prefaced a powerful rendition of "El Apagón" ("The Blackout"), relating to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and persistent frustration about chronic blackouts in Puerto Rico.
While performing these politically charged pieces, Bad Bunny displayed a Puerto Rican flag colored in red, white, and baby blue, reflective of the island’s independence movement. For approximately 13 minutes, in a halftime show sponsored by Apple Music and Roc Nation, the audience's focus remained on Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
His entire musical set was performed in Spanish, consistent with his discography, though his previous collaborations include English-speaking artists. The only exception during the event was Lady Gaga’s English vocals. Near the conclusion, Bad Bunny addressed the crowd in English, expressing “God Bless America,” and proceeded to name countries across the Americas, such as Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, the United States, and Canada. This gesture underscored a broader continental unity beyond the U.S.-centric use of "America." He closed with, "And my motherland, mi patria, Puerto Rico, seguimos aquí," which means, "My homeland, Puerto Rico, we are still here." A screen behind him displayed the phrase, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” referencing his recent 2026 Grammy speech.
The show concluded with "DtMF" as Bad Bunny exited the stadium, accompanied by musicians playing güiros, a percussive instrument crafted from hollow gourds, and panderetas, tambourines emblematic of plena music.
Bad Bunny has consistently ranked among the world's most-streamed artists, and this Super Bowl performance affirmed his ability to translate global popularity into commanding presence on the U.S.'s most-watched stage. This was not his first foray, having performed at Super Bowl LIV in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, sharing the spotlight with artists whose bilingual hits initiated a Latin music crossover era in the 2000s.
This halftime show serves as a crowning achievement for the 31-year-old superstar, who a decade earlier worked at an Econo supermarket in Puerto Rico. His 2026 Grammy win for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” as album of the year marked the first time a fully Spanish-language album received this distinction. The album fuses traditional Puerto Rican genres such as bomba, plena, salsa, and música jíbara with contemporary sounds like reggaeton, trap, and pop.
In the lead-up to the performance, Bad Bunny maintained secrecy about the show's contents, although there was speculation about politically charged segments. Known for his past critiques of political figures such as Donald Trump, and his vocal stance—stating “ICE out” during his 2026 Grammy acceptance—Bad Bunny’s recent tours notably excluded the continental U.S., reportedly due to fears his fans might face immigration enforcement.
At a press conference preceding the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden that the event would be “a huge party,” encouraging audiences to enjoy the music and dance, even if they did not speak Spanish. “I want to bring to the stage, of course, a lot of my culture,” he explained. “I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s going to be fun.”
Without a doubt, the performance delivered not only entertainment but also a hopeful message highlighting the enduring spirit and resilience of Puerto Rico throughout history.