International superstar Bad Bunny is set to headline Super Bowl LX next February in Santa Clara, California, marking a major return to the American stage — and a sharp reversal from previous statements in which he said he’d “never perform in the United States again” due to concerns over ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity near concert venues.
The Puerto Rico-born singer, rapper, and actor made headlines earlier this year when he told I-D magazine that mainland American performances were no longer “necessary” and even potentially dangerous for his fans.
“Honest, I can’t risk the safety of my fans like that,” Bad Bunny said. “Mainland America just doesn’t feel necessary to me anymore. I’ve already performed there many times. Fans in the U.S. have had plenty of chances to see me perform live.”
Yet in a dramatic shift that unfolded during Sunday Night Football on NBC, a teaser video confirmed that the three-time Grammy Award winner would be the halftime show performer at Super Bowl LX — one of the most visible stages in the world, broadcast to tens of millions globally. Just moments before the official announcement aired, Bad Bunny tweeted in Spanish, “I’ve been thinking about it these days, and after talking with my team, I think I’ll do just one date in the United States.”
From ICE Fears to the NFL’s Biggest Stage
In his previous comments, Bad Bunny specifically cited immigration enforcement fears as a driving reason behind his decision to skip U.S. cities on his Debi Tirar Mas Fotos World Tour, which will continue into 2026.
“There was the issue of — like, f–king ICE could be outside [my concert],” he told I-D. “And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
Though born in Puerto Rico — an American territory — Bad Bunny has long expressed solidarity with Latinos from other countries illegally residing in the continental United States. His remarks came amid heightened political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and increasing criticism of ICE by progressive artists and activists.
For many, his refusal to tour the United States was seen as a political statement and a form of protest. Some fans viewed it as a principled stand; others criticized it as performative or out of touch.
NFL Halftime Shows Drifting Further from Core Audience?
Bad Bunny’s selection as the Super Bowl halftime headliner comes on the heels of Kendrick Lamar’s politically charged performance at last year’s game, which included pointed references to racial justice, American foreign policy, and the 2024 election. While Lamar’s performance was praised in progressive media circles, it sparked backlash from many longtime NFL fans who viewed it as overtly political, divisive, or simply out of place at what has traditionally been considered an all-American entertainment event.
With Bad Bunny now taking center stage — an artist who performs exclusively in Spanish and has built his career largely outside the traditional English-speaking pop circuit — critics argue the NFL is increasingly out of touch with its fan base. While Bad Bunny’s music has undeniably crossed into the mainstream (his songs are now staples in bars, gyms, and nightclubs across the U.S., even outside the Latino community), he has no English-language hits, and many Americans may not be familiar with his lyrics or message.
Just months before the 2024 election, he publicly endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris, urging his fans to support her campaign against Donald Trump.
Now, with the Super Bowl ahead, critics and supporters alike are wondering what prompted the sudden change of heart — and whether his halftime performance will carry a political message of its own.
What’s Next?
Bad Bunny’s world tour will continue outside the U.S. throughout 2026, with stops in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Whether the Super Bowl is truly his “one U.S. date,” as he claimed, or a soft relaunch of future mainland performances remains to be seen.
For now, fans — and likely critics — will be watching closely when Super Bowl LX kicks off on February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara. Whether the performance is embraced as a cultural milestone or rejected as another example of the NFL’s growing divide with its core viewership may come down to how Bad Bunny uses the moment — and what message, if any, he decides to send.
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Tell him to stay there. We don’t need him in America. America is for people who love this country like our President Trump.
Who cares. Tell him to stay away.
Bye Bye NFL.
Who cares, tell him to stay away. We have plenty of talented performers here.