How big is the paycheck for one of television’s most-watched musical performances? The answer might surprise you.
WASHINGTON — As Bad Bunny prepares to take center stage at Super Bowl 60’s halftime show, many fans might be wondering about the payout for one of television’s most-watched musical performances.
The answer might surprise you. Like past headliners, Bad Bunny won’t be paid beyond a modest union-mandated fee.
How much do Super Bowl performers get paid?
Like previous Super Bowl halftime performers, the Puerto Rican superstar is not receiving a traditional appearance fee for the show.
The NFL may cover travel costs for artists, but maintains its long-standing tradition of not paying performers for the pregame and halftime shows beyond the minimum union scale requirements. Under union agreements, this typically amounts to around $1,000 per day for rehearsals and the performance itself. That means no splashy appearance fees for these major artists.
However, the real value of the Super Bowl halftime show lies in its unprecedented exposure. The 2024 performance headlined by Usher drew massive viewership, continuing the trend set by Rihanna’s 2023 show which attracted 115 million viewers. For artists, this exposure typically translates into significant increases in music sales and streaming numbers.
Bad Bunny is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage, having previously performed alongside Jeniffer Lopez and Shakira at the 2020 game.
How much does a Super Bowl halftime show cost?
While performers don’t receive direct compensation, the production costs for the halftime show are substantial. Recent performances have seen budgets ranging from $10-20 million, covering everything from elaborate stage designs to pyrotechnics.
The NFL shoulders most of these production expenses, although some artists, such as The Weeknd, have said they’ve contributed some of their own money to help foot the massive bill.
Who is Bad Bunny?
Bad Bunny, one of the most-streamed artists in the world, headlines the 2026 halftime show during a career-defining stretch. He recently completed a historic residency in Puerto Rico that drew hundreds of thousands of fans and continues to dominate global streaming platforms with albums like “Un Verano Sin Ti.”
The 31-year-old artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has won three Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys. He has become a global ambassador for Latin music, starred in films such as “Bullet Train,” “Caught Stealing” and “Happy Gilmore 2,” and collaborated with top fashion houses. He’ll enter the Latin Grammys as the leading nominee with 12, dethroning producer and songwriter Édgar Barrera.
When is the Super Bowl and what channel is it on?
The Super Bowl, featuring the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, starts at roughly 6:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 8.
The game will be aired on NBC. Mike Tirico will be the play-by-play announcer alongside Cris Collinsworth and Mellissa Stark. Tirico will be calling his first Super Bowl and immediately after that, he will turn his Olympic brain on and host “Primetime in Milan” as he begins his fifth Olympic primetime hosting assignment.