The Super Bowl halftime show has always been a cultural checkpoint. Every year, millions of
people tune in not just for the game but for the moment when music takes over the field and the
world stops to watch. In 2026, that moment belonged to Bad Bunny. His performance was loud,
joyful, unpredictable, and completely true to who he is. It was also the first halftime show
performed entirely in Spanish, with only a few English phrases sprinkled in. That alone made the
night historic, but the show had much more going for it.
From the opening beat of “Tití Me Preguntó” to the final burst of “DeBÍ TIRAR Más FOTOS,”
the performance felt like a celebration of global music and the artists who are shaping it. The
surprise appearance from Lady Gaga added a spark that instantly took over social media.
Cameos from Karol G, Pedro Pascal, and Ricky Martin turned the show into a full pop culture
event. It was the kind of halftime show that people replay, argue about, and remember.
This was not a safe performance. It was not designed to please everyone. It was designed to
move, to dance, and to show the world what modern pop looks like when it stops trying to fit
into old boxes.
A Headliner Who Didn’t Change for the Stage
Bad Bunny has been one of the most streamed artists on the planet for years, but the Super Bowl
stage is a different kind of spotlight. Some artists soften their edges for the moment. He did the
opposite. He leaned into his sound, his language, and his identity.
He promised that the only language people needed to enjoy the show was the language of dance.
And he delivered on that promise. The performance was built around rhythm, movement, and
energy. Even if you did not know every lyric, you felt the pulse of the show.
The decision to perform in Spanish from start to finish was powerful. It was not a gimmick. It
was a reflection of where music is right now. Latin music is not a trend. It is a global force, and
Bad Bunny is one of the artists leading that wave.
The Opening: A Stadium That Turned Into a Party
The show opened with “Tití Me Preguntó,” a song that instantly shifts a crowd into motion. The
stadium lights pulsed in sync with the beat. Dancers filled the field in metallic outfits that
reflected the futuristic stage design. The camera work was fast and intentional, cutting between
wide stadium shots and close ups that captured the energy on Bad Bunny’s face.
There was no slow build. No dramatic pause. The show started at full speed and never slowed
down.
A Setlist That Spanned His Entire Career
The setlist was a tight, high energy run through some of Bad Bunny’s biggest songs. It moved
quickly, but it never felt rushed. Each track flowed into the next with choreography and staging
that kept the momentum going.
Here is the full setlist from the performance:
- Tití Me Preguntó
- Yo Perreo Sola
- Safaera
- Party
- Voy a Llevarte Pa’ PR
- EoO
- Monaco
- Die with a Smile with Lady Gaga
- BAILE INoLVIDABLE
- NUEVAYoL
- LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii with Ricky Martin
- El Apagón
- CAFé CON RON
- DeBÍ TIRAR Más FOTOS
The mix of songs showed the range of his catalog. There were club anthems, emotional tracks,
and moments that leaned into salsa and pop. The transitions were smooth and the staging shifted
constantly. One moment the field was glowing in neon blue. The next it was filled with warm
golds and swirling lights.
The Cameos That Took Over the Internet
One of the most talked about parts of the show was the lineup of surprise guests. Karol G
appeared early in the performance, matching Bad Bunny’s energy and giving fans a moment they
had been hoping to see on a major stage. Pedro Pascal made a fun cameo that instantly became a
meme. Ricky Martin joined for “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” creating a moment that
blended generations of Latin pop.
But the cameo that defined the night was Lady Gaga.
Lady Gaga’s Entrance: A Moment Built for Replay
When the opening notes of “Die with a Smile” started, the crowd did not know what was
coming. The stage lights dimmed. A single spotlight hit the far end of the field. Then Lady Gaga
rose from a hidden platform in a metallic bodysuit that matched the show’s futuristic theme.
The stadium erupted.
Her voice cut through the air with the kind of power only she can deliver. The arrangement had a
salsa inspired twist that gave the song new life. Bad Bunny and Gaga moved together with a
chemistry that felt natural and electric. Their voices blended in a way that surprised people who
had never imagined them sharing a stage.
The moment that everyone replayed was the final chorus. Gaga belted a high note while the stage
exploded in silver fireworks behind them. Bad Bunny hyped the crowd. The dancers hit their
final formation. It was dramatic, chaotic, and unforgettable.
A Visual Style That Felt Like the Future
The staging leaned into a metallic, futuristic look. The field was covered in reflective surfaces
that caught the light and created a sense of movement even when the dancers were still. LED
panels shifted and rotated to match the rhythm of each song. Drone shots swept across the
stadium, giving viewers a cinematic view of the performance.
The lighting design was one of the strongest parts of the show. It shifted from cool blues to fiery
reds to shimmering silvers as the performance evolved. Every moment felt intentional. Every
shot felt like it was designed to be clipped, shared, and replayed.
This was a halftime show built for the timeline.
A Celebration of Puerto Rico and Latin Music
The middle section of the show leaned into Bad Bunny’s roots. Songs like “Voy a Llevarte Pa’
PR” and “EoO” created a run that felt like a love letter to Puerto Rico. The choreography
incorporated subtle nods to Caribbean dance styles. The visuals shifted into warmer tones that
contrasted with the metallic look of the opening.
It was a reminder that Bad Bunny is not just a global superstar. He is an artist who carries his
culture with him wherever he goes.
The Final Stretch: A Stadium Wide Dance Floor
The last third of the setlist brought the energy back to its highest point. “El Apagón” hit
especially hard. The stadium lights cut out in sync with the song before bursting back to life.
“CAFé CON RON” kept the crowd moving. And “DeBÍ TIRAR Más FOTOS” closed the show
with a final burst of color and movement.
By the end, the entire stadium felt like a dance floor.
Why This Halftime Show Will Be Remembered
This performance mattered for several reasons.
It was the first halftime show performed entirely in Spanish. It showcased the global power of
Latin music. It blended genres, cultures, and generations in a way that felt natural. It embraced
modern visuals and staging that matched the way people watch and share performances today.
And it sparked conversation, which is the true measure of a halftime show’s impact.
Bad Bunny did not try to fit into the mold of past performers. He created a new one. Lady Gaga
added a moment that will be replayed for years. Together, they delivered a halftime show that felt
like the future.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show was bold, joyful, and completely alive. It was a celebration
of music, culture, and movement. It was a reminder that the world of pop is bigger and more
diverse than ever. And it was a performance that people will talk about long after the game is
forgotten.
Bad Bunny showed up as himself. Lady Gaga delivered a surprise that elevated the entire night.
The cameos added personality and fun. The visuals pushed the show into new territory. And the
energy never dipped.
If the goal of a halftime show is to create a moment that people feel, remember, and share, this
one succeeded.
