Bad Bunny Closes Super Bowl Set With a Message That Has Fans Talking
Bad Bunny’s performance at the Super Bowl halftime show has sparked more conversation than almost any other in recent history. From the moment he was announced as the headliner for the game, opinions were flying, but on Sunday night, the Puerto Rican superstar silenced critics by making history.
While he isn’t the first Latino to take the stage, he is the very first to perform a set delivered entirely in Spanish. Across Chicago’s Humboldt Park, fans gathered for what they nicknamed the “Benito Bowl,” celebrating a landmark moment for Puerto Rican culture.
Many attendees expressed their shock and joy when he brought out Lady Gaga as a surprise guest, further elevating the high-energy show. Spectators like Juliza Huertas noted that the performance was amazing and didn’t disappoint, specifically praising the total inclusivity of the production.
The show felt like a massive celebration of Boricua pride, prominently featuring traditional icons like sugarcane fields, domino players, and straw hats. Despite some prior social media criticism from those who questioned if the rapper was “American” enough for the stage, fans were quick to point out that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory.
As Maria Carolina Cordova put it, He is an American, and his presence on that stage served as a reminder that Puerto Rico is part of America. During the set, a message on the jumbotron reminded the world that the only thing more powerful than hate is love, a sentiment the artist has echoed throughout his career.
Chicago also had its own special connection to the night, as the artistic director for the Grant Park Music Festival conducted a group of string players during the performance of “Monaco.” For many in the community, the music was a backdrop to a larger statement of advocacy for the entire Latino population.
Bad Bunny closed out his #SuperBowl performance with a billboard behind him saying:
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 9, 2026
“The only thing more powerful than hate is love” pic.twitter.com/anIvbxr4NT
As of February, Bad Bunny is enjoying a monumental start to the year, having just won the Grammy for Album of the Year for his 2025 release Debí Tirar Más Fotos. This win was another historical first, marking the first time an all-Spanish language record has taken home the Recording Academy’s top honor.
He is currently in the middle of a massive global tour, though he recently hinted in interviews that he might transition into a quieter chapter later in the year to focus on more personal projects and his mental well-being.
While he remains one of the most-streamed artists on the planet, Bad Bunny continues to balance his superstardom with political activism, frequently speaking out against the targeting of Latino communities by government agencies.
Do you think Bad Bunny’s decision to perform entirely in Spanish at the Super Bowl will encourage the NFL to book more non-English-speaking headliners in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments.