Super Bowl 2026 Transforms Bay Area into Celebrity Playground Beyond Football
The football action is merely one component of the spectacle at Super Bowl 2026. The highly anticipated clash between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks has effectively converted the entire Bay Area into a sprawling, vibrant red carpet event. Throughout the week leading up to the big game, a dazzling array of artists, Hollywood actors, billionaire team owners, and reality television stars have been circulating energetically between key locations like Pier 48, Union Square, Daly City, and the iconic Levi’s Stadium. This influx has established one of the most densely populated celebrity Super Bowl gatherings witnessed in recent memory.
Star-Studded Attendees and High-Profile Events
The marquee attraction is undoubtedly halftime headliner Bad Bunny. Recently achieving a historic Album of the Year victory at the Grammys, the global superstar informed reporters of his intention to infuse "a substantial dose of my culture" into the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, while strategically keeping the specific setlist confidential.
Cardi B has maintained a ubiquitous presence across the week's festivities. She is slated to headline Michael Rubin’s exclusive Fanatics party, and persistent rumors from multiple media outlets suggest she might join Bad Bunny onstage for a potential performance of their hit collaboration "I Like It." Her partner, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, already generated significant social media buzz upon his arrival in San Francisco, stepping off the plane sporting a distinctive black Birkin bag, a faux fur jacket, and perfectly coordinated boots.
The A-list celebrity activity throughout the Bay Area has been relentless. Major outlets, including the San Francisco Chronicle, have documented numerous sightings:
- Tiffany Haddish, Tyra Banks, and Matthew Lillard making appearances at both Shaq’s Fun House and Spotify’s high-profile Pier 48 party.
- Guy Fieri hosting and making surprise appearances from San Jose to Daly City in preparation for his famous Flavortown Tailgate event.
- Travis and Jason Kelce commanding a private New Heights party, with comedians Anders Holm, Blake Anderson, and Adam Devine in attendance.
- Lifestyle icon Martha Stewart exploring Yerba Buena Gardens and enthusiastically promoting local culinary establishments.
- Pharrell Williams and Anderson .Paak visiting various San Francisco restaurants and exclusive pop-up venues.
On the list of highly anticipated guests, publications like Newsweek and TIME have consistently highlighted figures such as Ben Affleck, Jeff Bezos, Kim Kardashian, former President Barack Obama, and Jon Hamm as probable attendees in the luxury suites at Levi’s Stadium. Affleck has returned to Super Bowl advertising rotations, Bezos maintains a keen interest in games with franchise implications, Kardashian family members are involved with Fanatics promotions and charitable wagers, and Hamm has already hosted the NFL Honors ceremony and fronted a Ritz campaign this week.
Further expanding the glittering guest list are Russell Wilson and Ciara spotted in North Beach, reality television personalities like Maura Higgins, U.K. social media influencers at sponsor events, and NFL legends such as Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders participating in fan festivals. The collective attendance roster increasingly resembles a major awards show rather than a traditional sporting event.
Official Music Lineup and Halftime Show Controversy
The National Football League has officially confirmed a concise, meticulously staged musical program for Super Bowl LX. Reports from CBS News, official league communications, and Apple Music have solidified the following performances:
- Green Day: Delivering the opening ceremony performance at Levi’s Stadium.
- Charlie Puth: Rendering the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
- Brandi Carlile: Performing the patriotic song "America the Beautiful."
- Coco Jones: Singing the uplifting hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
- Bad Bunny: Headlining the prestigious Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.
Bad Bunny is set to make history as the first native Spanish-speaking artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. Notably, he will not receive an exorbitant performance fee. Consistent with past headliners, halftime acts are compensated only a standard union rate, while the NFL and Apple Music assume the enormous costs of the production. The true value for the artist lies in the unparalleled global exposure, which typically triggers a significant surge in music streams, record sales, and subsequent concert ticket demand.
However, the selection of Bad Bunny has ignited some political controversy, particularly following his "ICE out" statement at the Grammy Awards. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly defended the choice, publicly praising Bad Bunny as "one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world" and emphasizing the league's desire to feature artists capable of utilizing the massive platform to foster unity and bring diverse audiences together.
How to Watch Super Bowl LX and the Halftime Spectacle
Super Bowl LX is scheduled to commence on Sunday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with broadcast coverage on NBC and streaming availability on Peacock. Extensive pregame coverage will lead directly into Green Day’s opening performance and the national anthem ceremonies.
Bad Bunny’s highly anticipated halftime show will take the stage during the break between the second and third quarters. Following the live broadcast, Apple Music and the NFL plan to release comprehensive behind-the-scenes footage and full replay content across their various social media platforms for fans worldwide.
