Months of online speculation suggested that Taylor Swift would be performing at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. However, according to people familiar with the league’s process, the NFL and its partner, Roc Nation, focused elsewhere while social media fueled rumors around the pop sensation. Now, the result is out, and Bad Bunny will be headlining the Super Bowl LX halftime show at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026.
Rumors of Taylor Swift performing at the Super Bowl were ‘fan-driven,’ says source
Taylor Swift will not perform at the upcoming Super Bowl, but contrary to popular belief, reports suggest that she was never in the equation. “Never had a single serious conversation,” an NFL insider told Rob Shuter, adding, “It was never going to be her in 2026.” The source stressed that social media fueled the chatter, stating, “The speculation was fan-driven, not fact.”
Commissioner Roger Goodell sparked curiosity with a “Today” show moment before deferring to Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation oversees halftime shows. However, as one insider put it, “That’s who Jay-Z wanted, and that’s who Jay-Z got,” referring to Bad Bunny.
Another source pushed back on the idea of any quiet back-and-forth with Swift. They said, “She didn’t call the NFL, and they didn’t call her. She’s focused on her new album and her wedding. She didn’t want them, and they didn’t want her this year.”
Previously, industry insiders painted a different picture, suggesting Swift walked away following disagreements with the NFL. Sources told Shuter that the pop star sought full ownership of her performance and ad inventory to promote her own projects.
A source had claimed, “Taylor knows her worth. She knows the kind of ratings she brings, the global attention she commands.” They added, “They expect the biggest artists in the world to do it for ‘exposure.’ Taylor Swift doesn’t need exposure.” Meanwhile, another insider summed up her position: “She wanted a deal that reflected her value.”
Originally reported by Ishika Mishra on RealityTea.
