Bad Bunny was the name on the lips of onlookers during the 2026 Grammys.
The famed Puerto Rican artist is already perhaps the world’s biggest musical act. He’ll get a chance to confirm his place on the top of music’s totem pole next weekend when he takes the stage halfway through the Seahawks and Patriots‘ Super Bowl 60 clash.
And yet, on arguably music’s biggest day, Bad Bunny was left fairly quiet. The 31-year-old collected more than two handfuls worth of nominations on the night. But he was unable to croon underneath the Los Angeles lights.
Here’s why.
MORE: What to know about Super Bowl 60 halftime show
Why can’t Bad Bunny perform at the Grammys?
Bad Bunny joined other luminaries at the Grammys on Sunday night. It was a predictable appearance; he fielded 12 nominations at the show, including one for Album of the Year.
The cameo served as something of a preview for next weekend. Bad Bunny will return to the spotlight at Super Bowl 60, delivering a handful of his biggest hits — many of which come from his 2025 album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.”
Suffice to say, Bad Bunny was among the most prominent names to feature at Sunday’s spectacle. Grammys host Trevor Noah attempted to get the Puerto Rican artist to take the stage at Crypto.com Arena. He was summarily turned away.
“I was so excited to come back this year and host knowing you were going to be here,” Noah said. “But then, I found out because you’re doing the Super Bowl, like whoever is doing the Super Bowl is contractually obligated to only do the Super Bowl. So you can’t perform at the Grammys. Is this true?”
“No, I wish, but I can’t,” Bad Bunny said. “I thought I was performing but no, I can’t.”
The skit proved a humorous one for those watching on. But it led to a predictable query: was Noah’s statement true?
Bad Bunny seemed to confirm Noah’s inquisition. It’s common knowledge that contracts between Super Bowl halftime artists and the NFL are replete with unique clauses. For example, M.I.A. faced a $16.6 million arbitration claim from the NFL after reportedly violating her contract with the league by flipping off the cameras during her cameo at Super Bowl 46.
Bad Bunny has performed at the Grammys before, most recently turning out during the 2022 iteration of the event. He’ll likely do so again before long. But in 2026, he was forced to watch on from the sidelines — at least until Feb. 8.
