Super Bowl Halftime Counterprogramming: Turning Point USA Plans ‘All-American Halftime Show’ Opposing Bad Bunny

Turning Point USA has announced plans to stage its own Super Bowl halftime counterprogramming on February 8, 2026, in response to the NFL’s decision to feature Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as the headline act for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The conservative youth organization, founded by the late activist Charlie Kirk, revealed its initiative — titled “The All-American Halftime Show” — in a social media post on Thursday. The event, according to the group, will celebrate “faith, family and freedom” and aims to offer viewers an alternative to the NFL’s high-profile halftime spectacle.

Turning Point USA Announces Alternative Halftime Show

The announcement marks a bold new entry into Super Bowl halftime counterprogramming, a niche that has existed for years through events like Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl but rarely with such an overt political message. Turning Point’s flyer said details on performers and venue will be shared in the coming weeks. The organization also launched a website inviting users to share their preferred music genres — options include Americana, Country, Pop, Classic Rock, Hip Hop, and Worship — hinting at a diverse but ideologically aligned lineup.

Erika Kirk, who became CEO following her husband Charlie Kirk’s death last month, said the event would reflect values the organization believes are often “overlooked” in mainstream entertainment. “We want to bring people together around timeless American principles,” Kirk said in a brief statement.

While the concept of counterprogramming during the Super Bowl isn’t new, this move is likely to draw significant attention given the ongoing cultural debates surrounding entertainment, politics, and identity in the United States. It also signals Turning Point USA’s intent to broaden its influence beyond politics and into mainstream pop culture.

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Selection Sparks Debate

The NFL, Apple Music, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation announced Bad Bunny as the headliner nearly two weeks ago, a decision that has drawn both praise and criticism. Bad Bunny, one of the most streamed artists in the world, is known for his genre-blending music and outspoken political stances, including criticism of U.S. immigration policies under Donald Trump’s administration.

Trump himself weighed in earlier this week, telling reporters, “I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it — it’s, like, crazy… I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.” The remarks reflect a broader backlash among some conservative figures, who argue that the NFL’s choice is politically motivated.

Bad Bunny has previously stated that he excluded stops in the continental United States during a world tour due to concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. That concern resurfaced after a senior Department of Homeland Security adviser, Corey Lewandowski, said on “The Benny Show” that ICE would be present at the Super Bowl, warning that “there is nowhere… to provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally.”

Broader Impact and What Comes Next

The move by Turning Point USA underscores how cultural flashpoints like the Super Bowl halftime show have become battlegrounds for political and social debates. By creating its own event, the group is tapping into an audience that feels alienated by mainstream entertainment choices — and potentially creating a new model for politically driven counterprogramming.

For the NFL, the controversy is unlikely to significantly impact viewership, which regularly tops 100 million globally. However, the spotlight on Bad Bunny’s political stances and the competing halftime show highlight how even America’s biggest entertainment event is increasingly shaped by cultural and ideological divides.

As February approaches, all eyes will be on both the NFL’s Super Bowl halftime show and Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” — two performances likely to reflect very different visions of what America’s biggest Sunday should represent.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is Super Bowl halftime counterprogramming?

It refers to alternative entertainment events broadcast during the Super Bowl halftime show, designed to attract viewers away from the NFL’s official performance.

Q2: When will Turning Point USA’s halftime show take place?

The “All-American Halftime Show” is scheduled for February 8, 2026, coinciding with Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.

Q3: Why is Turning Point USA launching a counterprogram?

The group says it wants to celebrate “faith, family, and freedom” and offer an alternative to the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny, which some conservatives have criticized.

Q4: Has counterprogramming happened before?

Yes. Popular examples include the Puppy Bowl and Kitten Bowl, though these typically air before the game or in less politically charged contexts.

Q5: What has Bad Bunny said about the criticism?

Bad Bunny has previously spoken against U.S. immigration policies and avoided U.S. tour stops over ICE concerns, but he has not commented directly on Turning Point USA’s announcement.