The NFL’s announcement that Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show has sparked a wave of backlash from Taylor Swift fans, many of whom are threatening to boycott the event. The decision, revealed during halftime of the Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys game, confirmed that Swift would not be performing at the February 8, 2026, event at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
According to reports, Swift and the NFL were in negotiations, but talks fell apart when the league allegedly rejected her contract demands. A source claimed Swift declined the offer after pushing for terms that “reflected her value.” This news disappointed many fans, who had hoped to see the 14-time Grammy winner take the stage at one of the world’s biggest televised events.
Social media quickly lit up with criticism. Some fans called the switch to Bad Bunny “a downgrade,” while others expressed frustration over the NFL’s continued focus on rap and Latin artists. “Boycott the Super Bowl,” one user wrote, while another added, “Not watching the Super Bowl at all… we need to boycott it altogether.”
Despite the backlash, the NFL and Apple Music stood by their choice. Jon Barker, the NFL’s SVP of global event production, praised Bad Bunny’s “dynamic performances” and “deep connection with fans.” Apple Music’s Oliver Schusser echoed the sentiment, saying the Puerto Rican superstar has “elevated Latin music to the center of pop culture.”
Bad Bunny, 31, has enjoyed massive success in recent years, including a record-breaking residency in Puerto Rico and collaborations with global stars like Drake, Dua Lipa, and Cardi B. He leads the nominations at the upcoming Latin Grammys and is expected to bring a high-energy, genre-blending performance to the Super Bowl stage.
Still, the absence of Taylor Swift — especially amid her record-breaking The Life of a Showgirl era — has left many fans feeling let down. Whether the boycott threats will impact viewership remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the NFL’s halftime show continues to be one of the most hotly debated topics in entertainment and sports.
