Superbowl Opening Ceremony & Halftime Show

Millions of football fans watched the Super Bowl Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The performance not only entertained, but stood out to others with a big impact on Latin culture. 
by Sabrina Cleland

The Super Bowl Halftime Show remains one of the most widely watched entertainment events each year, combining sports, music, and popular culture on a global stage. The 2026 performance, headlined by Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, drew millions of viewers and highlighted Latin music and culture while continuing the tradition of high-profile performances that often generate widespread media attention and public discussion.

This was not just any Super Bowl performance; it also gave the viewers a standpoint on things going on in our country. Many also highlighted the amount of cultural appearance for Latin music. Plenty of students at WGHS had opinions on the performance.

"He went up there for Hispanic cultures and stood up for them with everything that's going on in society," Abigail Garcia (9) stated. With everything going on in our world today, this Halftime Show really went out to show that everyone is equal and should be treated that way. "It really showed that we should all come together as a country and we should all love one another. The finale was really cool; my favorite song was 'DtMF,'” Hayden Wolf (11) had to say.

However, some thought the show was rushed, or even not the best choice. Randolph Bethea (11) thought it wasn't a good show. "I didn't really like it since it's not my style, but the whole game was bad in my opinion."

Even though there were some opposing opinions, another student told us, "I think it was a rushed Halftime Show," Leo Lopez (12) said. But, overall, there were more good perspectives than bad. Leo also told us, "It had a good message behind it. He represented Puerto Rico and the US, which we needed during times like this, and I think it was very entertaining." Many thought it was very inspiring, as another student, David Alexander (10), stated: "He really put a big impact on the Hispanic community."

The music Bad Bunny performed included some of his most popular songs from different albums he created over the years. He played "Tití Me Preguntó," "Safaera," "Monaco," and "Die With A Smile" with Lady Gaga.

"I didn't understand anything that man was saying, but the beat was hard and I liked the way he sang really fast. It made me want to get up and dance," Ashia Stevens (11) said. She clearly enjoyed it and thought it was catchy, yet something confused her. "Why was [Lady Gaga] there? It was so random and I didn't get the point. I think Cardi B should have been there instead."

Ellie Woodson (11th) also said, "I didn't expect Lady Gaga to be there. But I thought the show was really intriguing since it was the first Super Bowl that wasn't in English."

Overall, the Super Bowl Halftime Show once again proved to be more than just entertainment, sparking conversation about music, culture, and audience expectations. Bad Bunny’s performance left many fans with memorable moments while also highlighting the growing influence of Latin artists on major global stages.