Super Bowl 2026 and Bad Bunny's Halftime Show failed to break viewing records in the United States, with the game attracting 124.9 million viewers and the show drawing 128.2 million.
The Super Bowl 2026 saw the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29-13, drawing a significant audience of 124.9 million viewers across various platforms including NBC and Telemundo. While this number is impressive, it did not surpass the previous year's record of 127.7 million viewers who watched the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The game’s viewership reflects a slight decline in audience engagement compared to last year, sparking discussions about potential factors affecting Super Bowl ratings.
Bad Bunny headlined the halftime show and attracted 128.2 million viewers during the 15-minute performance, ranking it as the fourth most-watched halftime show of all time. Despite its high viewership, it fell short of the record set by Kendrick Lamar in 2025. The statistics indicate a pattern in Super Bowl halftime shows, showcasing that while viewership remains strong, the peak records are increasingly challenging to reach, leading to discussions around the entertainment industry’s shift in viewer habits.
As the Super Bowl continues to be a cornerstone of American sports and entertainment culture, these ratings figures may lead to strategic changes by networks and advertisers in how they approach the broadcast of such large-scale events. The focus on talent and performance during halftime may evolve as they strive to capture and maintain audience interest in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
