RM Roger Goodell Confirms Bad Bunny Will Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show Despite Criticism
NEW YORK — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reaffirmed Wednesday that Bad Bunny will remain the headline performer for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, dismissing rumors that the league might reconsider its decision following political backlash.
Speaking at his annual Fall League Meeting news conference, Goodell defended the choice of the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican superstar, emphasizing that the league’s decision was deliberate and well-considered. “It’s something we put a lot of thought into,” Goodell said. “Every year, there’s always some criticism—no matter who we select. When you have hundreds of millions watching, it’s impossible to please everyone.”
The decision, announced in late September, drew worldwide attention. Streams of Bad Bunny’s music surged after the news broke, though it also prompted criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters. Trump, in an interview with Newsmax, claimed he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny and called the NFL’s choice “ridiculous.”
“I don’t know who he is,” Trump said. “It’s crazy. They blame it on some promoter, but I think it’s absolutely absurd.”
Goodell, however, stood firm, calling Bad Bunny “one of the most popular entertainers on the planet.” He added, “That’s exactly what we aim for with the Super Bowl. It’s a massive global stage, and we want to deliver a show that resonates around the world.”
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has been outspoken about his opposition to Trump’s immigration policies. The 31-year-old artist recently announced a month-long residency in Puerto Rico, deliberately skipping U.S. mainland stops, citing concerns about the treatment and deportation of Latino communities.
The NFL confirmed that Bad Bunny intends to perform in Spanish during the halftime show — a move many see as a bold step toward celebrating cultural diversity on one of America’s biggest entertainment platforms. “He understands the magnitude of this platform,” Goodell said. “We’re confident it’s going to be a powerful, exciting, and unifying performance.”
The Super Bowl, hosted by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, is set for February 8, 2026. It remains uncertain whether Trump will attend, though he has made appearances at several major sporting events during his second term in the White House.
Beyond the halftime show controversy, Goodell also addressed several football-related matters at the meeting. He noted that the “tush push” quarterback sneak — made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles — continues to draw discussion among team owners and officials, though there are no current plans to revisit a potential ban.
Other topics included the pace of replay reviews and the league’s evolving kickoff rules. Goodell pointed out that average game times are slightly shorter this season, even with more frequent kickoffs. “It’s remarkable,” he said. “You get more plays, more fouls, but still manage to keep the games efficient.”
Finally, Goodell confirmed that while early talks about an 18-game regular season have taken place, significant collective bargaining discussions won’t begin until the Players Association finalizes its leadership. The current CBA runs through the 2031 season.
Looking ahead, the NFL is also finalizing host cities for the 2028 and 2029 Super Bowls, with announcements expected sometime next year.
In short, despite political noise and public debate, Goodell made it clear: Bad Bunny is staying on the Super Bowl stage — and the NFL is standing by its choice.
