Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show: Viewership & Highlights

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime present performance on Sunday drew an average of 128.2 million viewers, according to Nielsen data.

The viewership figure surpasses the overall average of 124.9 million for this year’s Super Bowl game itself. Yet, it fell short of the record of 133.5 million viewers achieved during last year’s halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar, which followed Usher’s record-setting 2024 performance.

The performance, dubbed the “Benito Bowl” by fans, was not without its pre-game controversy. Months before the event, criticism arose from right-wing commentators regarding Bad Bunny’s frequent celebration of his Puerto Rican heritage in his music and public persona. In response, Turning Point USA, a conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk, organized an alternative livestreamed halftime show headlined by Kid Rock, billed as “for folks who love America.”

The competing event failed to gain significant traction. The New York Times reported that the Turning Point USA livestream peaked at 6.1 million viewers and has since reached 21 million views, a stark contrast to Bad Bunny’s 128.2 million television viewers and 57 million views on YouTube.

Bad Bunny’s performance itself included several notable moments, including a live wedding ceremony, elaborate staging with 380 performers dressed as grass, and appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.