Bad Bunny makes Super Bowl history for San Francisco's Latinos
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The emotions were running high, fam. Photo: Nadia Lopez/Axios
"'Benito Bowl' took over San Francisco on Sunday as Bad Bunny dominated the Super Bowl LX halftime show at Levi's Stadium, turning the biggest stage in sports into a global celebration of music, dance and Latino culture.
Why it matters: Bad Bunny's performance at the NFL stage has made an entertainment spectacle into a cultural milestone for millions of Latinos watching.
- The historic moment where the Puerto Rican artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, stood at the center of America's most-watched broadcast performing in Spanish was a defining moment for Latino visibility in mainstream American culture.
The vibe: Across San Francisco — but especially in the Mission — bars and restaurants hosting Bad Bunny–themed watch parties and community celebrations transformed the halftime show into a shared expression of pride and belonging.
- At El Rio, fans donning Bad Bunny merchandise and anti-ICE t-shirts lined up around the block before opening to watch the performance. The bar buzzed with energetic chatter, dancing and singing, bursting in cheers once he took the stage.
What they're saying: "I feel like I was caught in tears at some moments, because it means the world to see a Latino present and show out for all of us," San Francisco resident Kristina Duran, 30, told Axios. "His message is so beautiful. To us Latinos, we're better together."
Between the lines: It became clear that for many in attendance, the game itself mattered less than Bad Bunny's presence — from the roar that greeted his opening song "Tití Me Preguntó" to sing-alongs that drowned out all talk of the score.
Flashback: Backlash followed when the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the halftime performer in September, with critics questioning language, identity and who belongs on America's biggest stage. The NFL's choice of the Spanish-language superstar sparked debate over his politics, including comments against ICE.
- The All-American Halftime Show emerged as a conservative alternative to Bad Bunny's performance.
💭 My thought bubble: Sorry was there a football game going on? I hadn't noticed.