After the NFL rejected one of Taylor Swift’s main demands, she reportedly turned down the chance to sing at the Super Bowl halftime show.

The long-awaited announcement was made by the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation on Sunday night (September 28) during the Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys game.

The 31-year-old Bad Bunny will be the first Puerto Rican performer to take center stage at the esteemed event.

In a statement, the artist, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, shared his excitement and pride: “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown.”

“This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL. (Go and tell grandma that we will be the HALFTIME SHOW of the Super Bowl).”

Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl dream dashed

Swifties were disappointed to learn that Bad Bunny would be the main act, even though they had anticipated the pop sensation would make her Super Bowl debut.

Despite being one of the biggest music performers of her generation, the 33-year-old Grammy winner has never performed at the huge event.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s remarks on the Today program, in which he showed his support for Swift, stoked rumors about her possible appearance in recent weeks.

The ‘Karma’ singer, however, was reportedly in negotiations to be the main act at the 2026 event, but the NFL finally turned down one of her major demands.

Swift has reportedly struggled to restore possession of her music masters, and according to pop culture journalist Rob Shuter, she wants to keep ownership of her performance video and secure promotional positions for her own ventures.

An industry source explained: “She knows the kind of ratings she brings, the global attention she commands. She wasn’t about to hand that over for free,” per Yahoo.

“The NFL flatly refused,” the source continued. “Taylor Swift doesn’t need exposure. She wanted a deal that reflected her value.”

The ‘Cruel Summer’ diva eventually left the opportunity because she wouldn’t budge on her demands, making room for Bad Bunny, who has since become a major figure in the music industry.

Bad Bunny makes history

Bad Bunny will become the first performer who speaks Spanish as the main act at the halftime show at the Super Bowl.

He has dominated streaming services and won three Grammys. Most recently, he became the most-streamed artist on Spotify for four years in a row.

Fans will recall the ‘Tití Me Preguntó’ hitmaker’s unexpected presence with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez during the 2020 halftime performance, even though this will be his first time fronting the show.

With sold-out performances and record-breaking accomplishments, his career has taken off since then. He just finished an unprecedented 31-night performance to crowded venues in Puerto Rico.

The superstar is anticipated to deliver his upbeat reggaeton and Latin trap sounds to the largest platform in the globe. He recently released his 2024 album Debí Tirar Más Fotos.

He will also make visits in Europe and Latin America on his 2025–2026 globe tour.

Levi’s Stadium will host the 2026 Super Bowl on February 8.