National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell is standing by Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show this Sunday.
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, generated headlines on Sunday when he was one of several musicians at the Grammys to rebuke U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deployment in the United States. The musician already created some controversy when he was officially selected to perform at this Sunday’s halftime show.
Goodell, however, said Bad Bunny demonstrated on Sunday that he is “one of the great artists in the world,” and this is “one of the reasons” he was picked.
“But the other reason is he understood the platform he was on, and this platform is used to unite people, and to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talents, and to be able to use this moment to do that,” Goodell said at a press conference Monday night.
“And I think artists in the past have done that. I think Bad Bunny understands that, and I think he’ll have a great performance.”
Goodell also confirmed that this year’s game will have federal, state, and local security levels working “together,” adding that previous presidential administrations have been involved in Super Bowl security. NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier said on Tuesday that the NFL is “confident” ICE won’t be a part of security, according to ESPN.
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Ahead of kickoff, Turning Point USA announced that Kid Rock, a vocal ally of President Donald Trump, will be one of several musical talents headlining its “All-American Halftime Show.” The event was announced shortly after Bad Bunny’s selection, as counterprogramming for the official NFL halftime performance.
This year’s Super Bowl will see the Seattle Seahawks competing against the New England Patriots at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Kickoff begins at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8.