ICE Will “Be All Over” Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Confirms Ahead of 2026 Event
With the Super Bowl set to take place in Las Vegas in February 2026, anticipation for the halftime show featuring Bad Bunny is already reaching new levels — and so is the security. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will have a significant presence at the event, describing their deployment as “all over” the stadium and surrounding areas.
The move comes as part of a broader national security operation designed to protect one of America’s biggest sporting and entertainment events. Each year, the Super Bowl draws more than 70,000 fans in person and hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. For the 2026 game, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly coordinating with local law enforcement, the FBI, and federal agencies to maintain tight control over access, surveillance, and potential threats.
Kristi Noem addressed the topic earlier this week, assuring reporters that the focus is on safety, not politics. “The Super Bowl is one of the largest public gatherings in the United States,” she said. “Our responsibility is to make sure everyone — from players to performers to fans — can enjoy the day safely. ICE will be one of several agencies working together to ensure that happens.”
Her comments, however, immediately sparked conversation online. Some interpreted the emphasis on ICE as an unusual choice of words, given that the agency’s core mission typically revolves around immigration enforcement and cross-border crime. Others defended the decision, pointing out that ICE often partners with other agencies on major security operations, including large-scale events where crowd monitoring, identity verification, and threat assessment are key.
For the halftime performer, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, the heightened security measures underscore just how massive his appearance will be. The 14-time Latin Grammy winner is expected to bring his signature energy and global fanbase to one of the world’s biggest stages. His performance marks a major milestone for Latin artists, continuing a trend that began with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s 2020 halftime show — a moment that celebrated Latin music’s influence on American pop culture.
Fans are already speculating about what Bad Bunny might bring to the event — whether it’ll be a high-octane spectacle filled with his hits like “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Me Porto Bonito,” or something more reflective and bold. Either way, the stakes are high, and so is the security.
Behind the scenes, preparations for Super Bowl LX are well underway. Las Vegas, known for its massive entertainment infrastructure, is expected to host an influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors during the week of the game. Hotels are booking fast, and the city’s tourism board has begun working closely with federal officials to ensure all venues — from the Allegiant Stadium to fan zones across the Strip — are covered under federal security coordination.
Noem emphasized that the presence of ICE and other federal officers shouldn’t alarm the public. “This is about ensuring that an event of this scale operates without incident,” she said. “Our officers will be doing their jobs discreetly and professionally, as they always do.”
Past Super Bowls have seen similar operations involving Homeland Security’s various branches, from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The goal, as always, is to identify potential risks before they escalate. These include issues like ticket fraud, smuggling, and unauthorized drone activity — all of which have become growing concerns in recent years as technology and event size evolve.
For now, fans seem far more focused on Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance than the behind-the-scenes logistics. Social media buzz exploded following the halftime show announcement earlier this year, with millions expressing excitement to see how the artist would top his previous award show and concert appearances.
Still, Noem’s comments serve as a reminder of how complex the planning behind an event like the Super Bowl truly is. What fans see on stage — the lights, the music, the spectacle — is only one side of the story. Behind it all is a massive network of security professionals ensuring that nothing interrupts the show.
As February 2026 approaches, one thing is certain: Bad Bunny’s halftime show will be one of the most-watched, most-guarded, and most-discussed performances in recent memory. Whether you’re tuning in for the game or for the music, expect the Super Bowl to be more than just a sporting event — it will be a national showcase of culture, unity, and the ever-evolving conversation between entertainment and security.
