Bad Bunny Super Bowl Show Falls Short of Kendrick's Record

11 hours ago 6

February 13, 2026 | 06:06 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Super Bowl LX halftime show has become the highlight of the entertainment world, featuring a performance by Puerto Rican global star Bad Bunny as the headliner. The show, which took place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, captured the attention of millions worldwide.

As reported by Variety, Bad Bunny's set is recorded as the fourth-largest halftime show in Super Bowl history. This achievement confirms his position as one of today’s preeminent global pop culture icons, transcending both language and genre boundaries.

"Bad Bunny brought an energy to the Super Bowl stage like never before, proving that language is not a barrier to reaching a massive global audience," Variety noted.

According to Billboard, Bad Bunny's performance reached an average of 128.2 million viewers in the United States. This figure reflects incredible enthusiasm, not only from his loyal fan base but also from the broader American football audience. His significant influence in the global music industry is evident in his ability to command one of the most-watched television events of the year.

With 128.2 million viewers, Bad Bunny secured his place in history as one of the most-watched halftime show performers, exceeding the expectations of many industry analysts.

Prediction Falls Short of Kendrick Lamar’s Record

Prior to the release of the final data, there was tense anticipation fueled by exceptionally high forecasts. As reported by Consequence, initial projections suggested Bad Bunny's performance would break the all-time record, with estimates reaching 135.4 million viewers. This number was driven by the narrative that this year’s show would be the most culturally inclusive to date, featuring a performance dominated by Spanish lyrics.

However, based on final data, the audience was recorded at 128.2 million, falling short of the all-time record held by Kendrick Lamar from Super Bowl LVIII. Consequently, Bad Bunny’s viewership remained below the records held by Kendrick Lamar, as well as the iconic performances of Rihanna and Katy Perry.

Breaking Super Bowl Viewership Record

Although the final figure for the halftime set fell slightly below initial expectations, Bad Bunny helped break another record. As quoted by ESPN, thanks to his halftime performance, viewership for the match between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots surged in the second half to set a new high. Notably, the Super Bowl LX second-half viewership reached 137.8 million viewers. This figure surpassed the previous record of 137.7 million set during the second quarter of last year's Super Bowl.

The success of the performance was bolstered by a spectacular stage presence and a lineup of surprise guests. As reported by Consequence, Bad Bunny’s performance of his hit songs entirely in Spanish, combined with the presence of guest stars Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, created iconic moments. The show celebrated rich Latin culture with stunning visuals, including a replica of a traditional Puerto Rican house on stage.