California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially proclaimed February 8th as “Bad Bunny Day” throughout the state, a declaration made to coincide with the artist’s highly anticipated Super Bowl LX halftime performance in Santa Clara. Governor Newsom announced his decision via X, stating, “I am declaring tomorrow in California as ‘Bad Bunny Day’ when Bad Bunny performs at the big game in the Golden State with his soothing, beautiful voice, and his very nice looks.” He further emphasized his support with a humorous follow-up message, expressing his admiration for the Spanish language and Puerto Rico, and asserting, “We love Bad Bunny! He is nearly as ‘hot’ as me — which is a big compliment, because there is nobody hotter. Happy Bad Bunny Day, America.”

Support for the Puerto Rican superstar also came from Apple CEO Tim Cook, who shared a selfie with the singer on social media ahead of the game. Bad Bunny, whose birth name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is slated to deliver an all-Spanish halftime show at Levi’s Stadium. This performance is set to be one of the most significant Spanish-language showcases in the history of the Super Bowl event, highlighting a monumental year for the artist. He recently made history at the 2026 Grammy Awards by becoming the first artist to win Album of the Year with an entirely Spanish-language album.

Speaking to Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans earlier in the week regarding his approach to the halftime spectacle, Bad Bunny expressed his enthusiasm: “I just want to be there. I’m just ready to do it. I want to feel it. I want people to watch it and enjoy it.” The declaration of “Bad Bunny Day” also arrives amidst increased political scrutiny surrounding the halftime performance. In recent public statements, Bad Bunny has actively addressed issues of immigration and identity. During his acceptance speech at the Grammys in Los Angeles on February 1st, he powerfully declared, “ICE out… We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens — we are humans, and we are Americans.”

Apple Music, which has served as the sponsor for the Super Bowl halftime show since 2023, continues its collaboration with the NFL and Roc Nation, the company founded by Jay-Z responsible for selecting the halftime performers. This partnership has increasingly focused on achieving global and multicultural reach in recent years. Bad Bunny’s selection for the Super Bowl LX halftime show is a clear reflection of the NFL’s strategic effort to expand its Spanish-language audience. Super Bowl LX is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, February 8th, at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT. The game and the highly anticipated halftime show will be broadcast on NBC, available for streaming on Peacock, and offered through Spanish-language broadcasts on Telemundo and Universo.