Bad Bunny is set to headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, but like all previous performers, he will not receive a performance fee. The NFL has a longstanding policy of not paying artists for the halftime spectacle, instead covering production, staging, and associated costs.
An NFL spokesperson previously told Forbes that the exposure from the broadcast outweighs any monetary payment. The policy has remained unchanged despite the involvement of global superstars such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Usher.
The 2025 Super Bowl attracted more than 127 million viewers, offering unprecedented global visibility for headliner Kendrick Lamar. While artists do not receive appearance fees, the production itself is costly, with estimates placing set budgets at over $21 million.
Sports Illustrated reported that performers are paid a minimum rate for their time, including rehearsals. In Usher's case, that amount reportedly totalled just a few thousand dollars.
Bad Bunny's appearance comes at a career high after he won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for Debi Tirar Más Fotos. Following the Super Bowl, he will embark on a global tour with Australian dates in Sydney and Melbourne.
The singer recently avoided touring in the US, citing fears of immigration enforcement, and instead staged an extended residency in his home base of Puerto Rico.
