Taylor Swift, the Grammy-winning singer and fiancee of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, will not perform at the Super Bowl LX halftime show in 2026. The NFL had been in discussions with Swift to headline the event, but negotiations reportedly broke down after the league ‘flatly refused’ to meet her demands, according to Sports Business Journal.
The announcement came during Sunday Night Football between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, when the NFL revealed that Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny will instead take the stage at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026.
Why did Taylor Swift step away from the Super Bowl LX halftime show?
While the exact details of the disagreement are not out yet, industry insiders suggest that financial terms and scheduling conflicts related to Swift’s upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl may have been the reason behind her exit. Swift had previously hinted at her busy schedule, and the timing of the Super Bowl reportedly clashed with her promotional and touring plans.
Other pop stars, including Adele and Miley Cyrus, have been mentioned as potential alternatives, though no official confirmations have been made. Adele had been approached for the Super Bowl stage in prior years but had turned it down.
Taylor Swift’s connection to the Super Bowl
Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce has kept her closely tied to the NFL. Over the past two years, she has attended multiple Super Bowls to support Kelce, one that the Chiefs won and another they lost. In August, she announced her upcoming album during Kelce’s New Heights podcast, which shows the overlap of her music career and NFL connections.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell commented earlier this month on the possibility of a Swift halftime show, telling the TODAY Show, “We would always love to have Taylor play. She is a special, special talent, and obviously she would be welcome at any time.”
Bad Bunny takes the spotlight
With Swift stepping aside, the NFL confirmed Bad Bunny as the halftime performer. In a statement, the Puerto Rican star said, “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.” Fans can expect a high-energy performance blending Bad Bunny’s global hits with a celebration of Latin culture.