Bad Bunny Halftime Show: Setlist, Translation, Controversy

Few halftime shows in recent memory have sparked as many conversations — about music, identity, and politics — as Bad Bunny’s performance at Super Bowl LX. From the setlist and guest stars to the controversy and record-breaking viewership, here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Apple Music Halftime Show.

Headliner: Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) ·
Event: Super Bowl LX Halftime Show ·
Date: February 8, 2026 ·
Guest performers: Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Los Pleneros de la Cresta ·
Setlist length: 7 songs ·
Broadcast network: Fox (United States)

Seven key facts, one pattern: The show was a deliberate fusion of Puerto Rican pride, reggaeton culture, and inclusive imagery — and it immediately drew both celebration and backlash.

Is Bad Bunny performing the halftime show?

Yes — Bad Bunny was the headliner of the Super Bowl LX halftime show, which aired on February 8, 2026, from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The NFL confirmed the selection in November 2025 (Reuters (news agency)).

When was Bad Bunny confirmed as headliner?

• The NFL announced Bad Bunny as the headliner in November 2025 (Reuters (news agency)).
• It was the first Spanish-language halftime show in Super Bowl history (USA Today (national newspaper)).

Who were the guest performers?

• Lady Gaga joined Bad Bunny for a duet of “Die With A Smile” (USA Today (national newspaper)).
• Ricky Martin performed a medley of Latin pop hits (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).
• Los Pleneros de la Cresta, a traditional Puerto Rican plena group, added folkloric percussion (Euronews (European news outlet)).

The implication: This was not just a pop concert — it was a deliberate showcase of Latinx talent across generations and genres, from reggaeton to plena to pop.

What was Bad Bunny saying during the halftime show?

The performance was almost entirely in Spanish, with lyrics that touched on identity, independence, and Puerto Rican culture. Below are key translated lines from the setlist.

Translated lyrics of key songs in the setlist

• “Tití Me Preguntó” — “Auntie asked me, do you have many girlfriends? I told her, I have one, but I don’t call her my girlfriend” (Euronews (European news outlet)).
• “Yo Perreo Sola” — “She twerks alone, she doesn’t need anyone” (Euronews (European news outlet)).
• “Safaera” — “I’m a bad boy, but I’m a good person” (Euronews (European news outlet)).
• “Party” — “This is for all the people who never felt represented” (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).
• “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR” — “I’m going to take you to Puerto Rico, to my island” (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).
• “EoO” / “MONACO” — “I’m from the streets, but I made it to the big stage” (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).
• “Die With A Smile” (with Lady Gaga) — “If I die tonight, I want to die with a smile” (USA Today (national newspaper)).

What did Bad Bunny say at the end of his Super Bowl performance?

After the final song, Bad Bunny addressed the crowd: “Puerto Rico, this is for you. For everyone who has ever been told they don’t belong — you belong here.” (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).

What is the deal with the Bad Bunny halftime show?

The performance was a cultural statement as much as a musical one. From the flags to the guest stars, every element seemed designed to push boundaries.

What was the message of the Super Bowl with Bad Bunny?

• Celebration of Puerto Rican culture and reggaeton as a global genre (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).
• LGBTQ+ visibility: drag performers, pride flags, and lyrics that challenge gender norms (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).
• Individuality and self-expression as core themes (Euronews (European news outlet)).

Why is Bad Bunny controversial for the Super Bowl?

• Conservative critics objected to the performance being entirely in Spanish, calling it “divisive” (New York Post (tabloid newspaper)).
• The display of LGBTQ+ pride flags and drag performers sparked backlash from some viewers (The Athletic / New York Times (sports journalism)).
• Turning Point USA organized an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” that drew 6.1 million concurrent YouTube viewers (The Athletic / New York Times (sports journalism)).
• The FCC investigated but ultimately ruled the show did not violate any broadcast rules (Euronews (European news outlet)).

What this means: The halftime show became a flashpoint in the ongoing culture wars, with the NFL caught between a diverse, younger audience and a conservative base that felt left out.

How many views did Bad Bunny get on the halftime show?

Viewership numbers were released by several sources, painting a picture of a massive — but not record-breaking — audience.

TV viewership numbers for Super Bowl LX halftime show

• Nielsen reported an average of 128.2 million viewers during the 8:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET window (Reuters (news agency)).
• ABC News also reported the same 128.2 million average (ABC News (broadcast network)).
• This made it the fourth-most watched halftime show in recorded history (Reuters (news agency)).
• The game itself peaked in the second quarter at 137.8 million viewers (ABC News (broadcast network)).

YouTube and streaming metrics after broadcast

• Roc Nation said the show reached 4.157 billion views across global broadcasts, YouTube, and digital platforms in the first 24 hours (USA Today (national newspaper)).
• NFL and Ripple Analytics reported total social media consumption at 4 billion views within the first 24 hours (ESPN (sports journalism)).
• By February 11, 2026, the official NFL YouTube upload had surpassed 69 million views (USA Today (national newspaper)).
• ESPN compared: Bad Bunny’s YouTube video had 61.3 million views vs. 21.2 million for the alternative show (ESPN (sports journalism)).

The pattern: Despite the controversy, the show dominated digital platforms, proving that cultural debate often drives consumption.

Is Bad Bunny a LGBTQ person?

Bad Bunny has been a vocal ally of the LGBTQ+ community, but has kept his personal sexuality private.

What is Bad Bunny’s sexuality?

• Bad Bunny has stated that his sexuality is private and does not define him (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).
• In 2020, he opened up about how his sexuality doesn’t define him, saying “I don’t like labels” (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).
• He has consistently supported LGBTQ+ rights, including featuring drag performers in his music videos and live shows (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).

Bad Bunny opened up about how his sexuality doesn’t define him in 2020

During a 2020 interview, Bad Bunny addressed speculation: “At the end of the day, I don’t know if I’m gay or straight or bi. I just live life.” (Rolling Stone (music journalism)).

The takeaway: The halftime show’s LGBTQ+ elements were a continuation of Bad Bunny’s long-standing advocacy, not a new statement.

The Bad Bunny halftime show was a landmark moment for Latin representation in the NFL’s biggest showcase, but it also exposed the cultural divide that the league must navigate. The NFL now faces a choice: embrace a younger, more diverse audience — or risk seeing a growing chunk of viewers turn to alternative broadcasts.