Best Super Bowl halftime shows ever: can Bad Bunny crack the list on Sunday?

This Sunday isn’t just about football. While the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will be focused on the game, many of us will have our eyes firmly on Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.

The Puerto Rican superstar won three Grammys just last weekend, including Album of the Year, becoming only the third Latino artist to win the award. The album also made history as the first primarily Spanish-language release to take home the honour.

The most-streamed artist of 2025 will be hoping to light up Levi’s Stadium with songs from his album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, and is rumoured to be joined on stage by the likes of Cardi B, Rosalía and Daddy Yankee.

The slot is one of the most coveted gigs in modern music, and plenty of stars have played it over the years - but just who has been the best to top the entertainment bill?

Here, DAZN News ranks what we believe to be the greatest Super Bowl halftime shows of all time, and how they helped turn the spectacle into what it is today.

What are the best Super Bowl halftime shows of all time?

Michael Jackson (XXVII, January 31, 1993)

For the first quarter-century, halftime entertainment at the biggest game on the planet was dominated by marching bands and local acts — but that all changed with the King of Pop.

Two years after the release of Dangerous, Jackson’s five-song set included Billie Jean and Black or White, setting the template for the show-stopping spectacles that followed.

U2 (XXXVI, February 3, 2002)

In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the NFL moved away from its original choice of Janet Jackson and turned to the Irish rockers to strike a more elegiac tone.

The decision paid off, with U2 delivering an emotional three-song set, capped by the names of the victims unfurling behind them during Where the Streets Have No Name.

Prince (XLI, February 4, 2007)

For raw, anthemic power, the late Minneapolis funk icon’s 2007 performance remains one of the all-time greats, delivering a thrilling mini-concert that showcased his unmatched musicianship.

Mixing in covers of Queen, Bob Dylan and Foo Fighters, Prince closed with his signature Purple Rain during a downpour, producing a mythical, unforgettable finale.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (XLIII, February 1, 2009)

It lacked some of the visual spectacle of other iconic shows, but The Boss came ready to rock — and did exactly that.

Springsteen and the E Street Band, widely regarded as one of the greatest live acts ever, ripped through a four-song set including Born to Run and Glory Days.

Beyoncé (XLVII, February 3, 2013)

Beyoncé had already cemented her place among the world’s biggest solo artists by the time the Super Bowl came calling — but this performance elevated her to another level.

Featuring a Destiny’s Child reunion, the nine-song set packed in hits such as Crazy In Love and Halo in a slick, high-energy showcase.

Katy Perry (XLIX, February 1, 2015)

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Two years after Beyoncé raised the bar, Perry delivered a show that was both critically praised and instantly meme-worthy.

The legacy of Left Shark added to an eight-song singalong set, capped by Firework, with cameo appearances from Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott.

Coldplay (50, February 7, 2016)

The British band, effectively inheriting U2’s crown as the world’s biggest rock group at the time, courted controversy with their colourful, inclusive performance.

Guest appearances from Beyoncé and Bruno Mars drew mixed reactions initially, but a set featuring Viva La Vida and Fix You is now widely regarded as an all-time classic.

Lady Gaga (LI, February 5, 2017)

After several guest-heavy shows, Stefani Germanotta stripped things back with a solo performance that began atop Houston’s NRG Stadium.

Gaga descended into the crowd and powered through a string of hits, including Poker Face, Born This Way and Bad Romance, to widespread acclaim.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar (LVI, February 13, 2022)

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A who’s-who of hip-hop united to celebrate the genre’s legacy, blending Generation X and Millennial icons into a landmark performance.

Cameos from 50 Cent and Anderson .Paak, who drummed during Eminem’s Lose Yourself, set the stage for Kendrick Lamar’s eventual solo return.

Rihanna (LVII, February 12, 2023)

The Barbadian singer’s show became even more remarkable after it was revealed she was pregnant at the time.

Her near-dozen-song set delivered a run of polished hits, including We Found Love, All of the Lights and Diamonds.

Kendrick Lamar (LIX, February 9, 2025)

The Compton native returned to the Super Bowl stage just three years after his 2022 appearance, fresh off one of the biggest years of his career.

Five Grammy wins, a chart-topping album in GNX, and the culture-shifting hit Not Like Us made the performance a celebration of his dominance and cemented his place at the top of hip-hop.

Super Bowl LIX date, venue and kick-off time

• Date: Sunday, February 8
• Venue: Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, California
• Kick-off: 5:30pm CST / 6:30pm ET / 11:30pm GMT / 3:30pm PT

Who is performing at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show?

This season’s Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show will be headlined by Bad Bunny, the biggest artist on the planet right now.

The multi-award-winning Latin and reggaeton star has previously performed on the Super Bowl stage as part of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s Super Bowl LIV show, and is no stranger to massive crowds.

As the all-time record holder for the highest-grossing tour in a single calendar year — earning more than $435 million in 2022 — he looks more than ready to light up Santa Clara.