Country Fans Push to Replace Bad Bunny with George Strait at Super Bowl

New York, NY – Country music fans are rallying for a change in the Super Bowl halftime show. A petition on Change.org has gathered thousands of signatures urging the NFL to replace Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, scheduled to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, with country music legend George Strait.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has gained significant popularity with his music, boasting over 77 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He made history with his all-Spanish album topping the Billboard 200 and is known for his appearances in films and wrestling.

Despite his global fame, many fans are concerned that his presence at the Super Bowl may shift the show’s tone. One supporter of the petition expressed, “The Super Bowl halftime show should unite our country and honor American culture, not be turned into a political stunt. Bad Bunny’s performances do not align with these values.”

In response to the backlash, Bad Bunny addressed his critics during his recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, joking, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”

Despite the pushback, Strait, 73, remains a favorite choice among country music fans to return to the Super Bowl stage. He has over 60 chart-topping songs and is often seen as an embodiment of country music’s tradition and family-friendly appeal.

The petition highlights concerns regarding the lyrics and themes present in Bad Bunny’s songs, suggesting they may not be suitable for a family audience. Some fans argue that Strait’s music fosters unity and celebrates American heritage.

The current petition has garnered more than 10,000 signatures since it launched on October 1. Other petitions against Bad Bunny have varying signature counts ranging from 1,000 to 11,000.

As anticipation builds for this iconic event, it remains to be seen whether these petitions will influence the NFL’s decision. The last time a country artist headlined the Super Bowl halftime show was more than 20 years ago, with Shania Twain in 2003.