NFL announces Super Bowl concert amid Bad Bunny backlash

In a seemingly unexpected attempt to calm the frenzy around Bad bunny Headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, the NFL has introduced a special feature.

Singer Poke was announced as part of a pre-Super Bowl concert, scheduled for February 6 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, just two days before the big game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

However, given the strong opposition to the NFL’s choice of the Puerto Rican star, the question remains: Will the move be enough to silence the critics?

On October 28, NFL hospitality provider On Location confirmed that the “Every Breath You Take” singer would star in a spinoff event, according to Entertainment Weekly.

According to the On Location website, Sting’s show is part of Super Bowl LX Studio 60, an event series designed to deliver an “epic weekend of unforgettable musical entertainment at one of San Francisco’s most iconic venues.”

While specific concert details remain under wraps, tickets start at $750, offering fans a premium experience that includes opportunities to meet former and current NFL players.

The Studio 60 series will continue for a second evening on February 7 at the same location, although the artists for this evening have not yet been announced.

Sting’s hiring for a Super Bowl spinoff concert comes shortly after the football organization reaffirmed its decision to have the “I Like It” collaborator headline the 2026 halftime show.

During a press conference last week, as reported by The Blast, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that their choice was deliberate and acknowledged that criticism of their halftime bookings was not new.

Responding to criticism, he said he was confident Bad Bunny would deliver a spectacular performance, which he said would be an “exciting and supportive moment”.

Before Goodell broke his silence on the issue, a petition filed on Change.org called on the NFL to exclude the three-time Grammy winner from the concert.

According to The Blast, the petition, which garnered over fifty thousand signatures, cited reasons why Bad Bunny should be removed. He said his style of music and “drag performances” are not what families should see on stage.

The petition then demanded that George Strait replace Bad Bunny. According to the letter, Strait is a better choice given his musical style, which resonates with generations and embodies true American music.

Now, even though Strait hasn’t been hired, it appears the football league is actually taking critics’ concerns to heart.

Alongside the NFL’s defense of Bad Bunny, Jay-Z also recently responded to the backlash, and in his opinion, it’s fabricated.

As The Blast reported a day ago, when asked in an interview about the hate surrounding Bad Bunny, the rapper responded, “They love him. Don’t let them fool you.”

Although the “Forever Young” hitmaker didn’t say more, his cryptic response seemingly solidified his support for Bad Bunny.

Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation oversees the selection of Super Bowl headliners, had already praised Bad Bunny during the announcement, saying: “We are honored to have him on the biggest stage in the world.”