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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Says League Is Committed To Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show Despite Backlash From Trump Administration

The NFL is backing #BadBunny!

Commissioner #RogerGoodell doubled down on the league’s decision to have Bad Bunny headline next year’s #SuperBowl Halftime Show, saying the #NFL remains committed despite backlash from the Trump administration and others. Praising the Puerto Rican superstar’s reach, Goodell said, “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value, and it’s carefully thought through,” adding that criticism comes with virtually every selection.

Goodell also signaled the show could expand beyond a solo set, noting the halftime stage often features surprise guests alongside the headliner. Citing recent examples, he pointed to #KendrickLamar’s show with appearances from #SZA, Serena Williams and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as #Usher’s 2024 set that brought out #Ludacris, Alicia Keys and #LilJon. “I am not saying that there won’t be additional talent that might be involved but that’s always the way it works,” he said of the production, which is done in partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.

Are you happy with Bad Bunny headlining the halftime show?

Could Taylor Swift be headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show? “Maybe,” says NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour comes to an end: a look at its massive global impact

Swift has long been a top contender for a Super Bowl halftime show performance, and speculation that she’ll soon be headlining the coveted slot has picked up steam in recent weeks.

Speaking on the Today Show recently, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked if she would be headlining next year’s Super Bowl performance. He responded: “We would always love to have Taylor play. She is a special, special talent and obviously, she would be welcome at any time.”

When asked point blank if it was “in the works” for the 2026 slot, he deflected: “I can’t tell you anything about that.” When pressed for a firm answer, he coyly replied: “It’s a maybe.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says Taylor Swift doing the Super Bowl halftime show is a possibility.
(via @TODAYshow)pic.twitter.com/2KZ4b5F0IN
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 3, 2025

As for when 2026’s performer will be announced, Goodell said he’s waiting on the NFL’s music supervisor Jay-Z to finalise a date. Performers are typically announced between September and October the previous year – Kendrick Lamar was announced in September 2024 to headline this year’s sporting event.

Fans have been speculating that Swift would be headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show in recent weeks. Last month, Swift made her first appearance on Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast, where she announced her upcoming 12th album ‘The Life Of A Showgirl’.

For some fans, this was confirmation enough that she’ll headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show, because the choice to announce her album on there specifically seemed a puzzling, but perhaps intentional choice. Some have even pointed out potential hints captured throughout the podcast episode – check out “evidence” of this here.

Another act who have expressed their interest in the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show are metal legends Metallica, who noted that next year’s sporting event will take place in their hometown of San Francisco.

Speaking to Howard Stern recently, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich responded when asked if they were keen on playing the Super Bowl next year: “Fuck yeah, of course we would. First of all we would do it. Second of all to do it in San Francisco would be a dream come true and would be the right fit… Certainly as somebody who’s represented San Francisco all over the world and shouted for decades about San Francisco and our love for the Bay Area, that part of it is the right fit. Ultimately it’s not our decision.”