Bad Bunny to headline the 2026 Super Bowl
On September 28, Puerto Rican singer, Bad Bunny, was announced as the headliner for the 2026 Super Bowl. The NFL made the announcement during halftime of a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. Immediately, people took to social media to share their opinions on the decision. Reactions varied from some celebrating the news while others harshly criticized the NFL's decision. Many of these conversations took place on X, Instagram, and Tik Tok.
Latinx representation on a global stage
Many Latinx social media users celebrated Bad Bunny's announcement, excited about the representation he would bring to Latinos. Users expressed pride that a Spanish-speaking artist would perform at one of the biggest events in the U.S. One Instagram user @melzzzzjr shared a video of Bad Bunny performing with text saying, "The biggest Latino artist in the world getting the most wanted spot at the most watched event of the year. Under a Trump Residency this is most definitely a win for the Latino community." Similar videos and comments emphasized how the announcement was a milestone for the visibility and inclusion of Latinos.
Instagram reel by @melzzzzjr
Language criticism and cultural divide
While many praised the announcement others opposed the idea of a Spanish-speaking artist headlining a major American event. A comment on X by @KJC485 said, "I don't get it. English is the language of our country. Why should I need to learn another language?" This comment reflects a common criticism from social media users who felt English was the only appropriate language for the halftime show. Even some political figures joined in on the criticism. In an interview, House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “It sounds like a terrible decision in my view. It sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience.” Many Bad Bunny fans pushed back by emphasizing that the U.S. is home to millions of Spanish speakers who deserve representation on the global stage. Conservative group, Turning Point USA, strongly opposed the idea of Bad Bunny performing that they decided to organize their own halftime show in protest. The organization is calling it "The All American Halftime Show" stating that the event will celebrate "faith, family, and freedom."
Tik Tok video from @fansided
Humor, memes, and celebrity reactions spark conversation
Within minutes of the news breaking, social media was flooded with jokes and memes about the future halftime show. Some users took to platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram to share how they will be dancing during the halftime show. Bad Bunny himself even used humor to address the controversy during his recent appearance on Saturday Night Live. He poked fun at Fox News hosts who were upset at him headlining the event and joked about the language debate, saying, 'If you didn't understand what I just said, you have 4 months to learn."
Many celebrities also engaged in the conversation, further boosting the topic's visibility in pop culture. Stars like Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Adam Sandler voiced their support for Bad Bunny's historic moment.
Tik Tok video from @funsized_32
In conclusion, the NFL's decision to make Bad Bunny the 2026 Super Bowl headliner sparked viral conversations all across social media about language, cultural identity, and representation. Love him or hate him, Bad Bunny now has a huge opportunity to represent Puerto Ricans and Latinos on one of the world's biggest stages, a moment that promises to be historic.