The 2026 Superbowl has come to a close, leaving the Seattle Seahawks victorious over the New England Patriots. The final score of the game was 29-13, giving the Seahawks their second Super Bowl title. (Their first Super Bowl win was in 2014). Beyond the game itself, however, lies traditions between families and friends, along with many debates on the half time show and commercials.
Rather than focusing solely on the final score, the game reflected the main reasons behind the Super Bowl’s fame: worldwide preparation and shared anticipation. Many people raced to stores to buy snacks and food in preparation for watch parties. For many fans, the game isn’t just about football, but it’s about the traditions of gathering with friends and family and reacting together in real time as the game unfolds. Kylon Son, a junior at St. Petersburg High School, has traditions of his own before watching the game. Son says, “before the game, every year my mom and I make homemade buffalo chicken dip to enjoy with friends and family”. While many see the game as tactics, interceptions, and touchdowns, beyond the field traditions are both lived out and created.
When the clock stopped at half time, all eyes shifted to Bad Bunny’s half time show. This performance was one of the most talked-about moments of the entire event. Lady Gaga and Rick Martin were some special guests that performed, with many other appearances as well. Lady Gaga performed a Latin-infused version of her hit “Die With a Smile”, while Ricky Martin performed “LO QUE LE PASO A HAWAII”, a track from Bad Bunny’s 2025 album Debi Tirar Mas Fotos. On top of that, a group of celebrities appeared in the show in a set piece called “La Casita”. This set was a replica of a traditional Puerto Rican home, of which Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, Jessica Alba, Young Miko, and Ronald Acuna Jr were dancing and hanging out during the performance. The grass that surrounded the house was actually real people. There was a very strict height requirement of 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-1, as well as some fitness standards to be able to wear and complete the synchronized movements that came with these heavy costumes. In addition to the surprise appearances, a couple got married in the middle of the set! The couple initially invited Bad Bunny to their own wedding, but he countered by inviting them to get married live during the show.
Bad Bunny was highly praised for his cultural representation, specifically of Spanish speaking countries. Being from Puerto Rico, he represents these areas by refusing to speak English, making the world move toward his culture rather than the other way around. In the show, Bad Bunny hands the Grammy to a young boy, Lincoln Fox, who is portraying Bad Bunny’s younger self. This symbolizes the passing of success and hope to his younger self, acting like a bridge between his past and his massive success. This piece of the show only builds on Bad Bunny’s celebration of Puerto Rican pride and generational inspiration, showing how his roots and message of hope shaped the culturally rich energy of the entire performance. Whether loved or criticized, the halftime show once again proves its power to shape the Super Bowl into a culturally unifying event, not just a sporting one.
On a side note, there was an alternative show called the “All-American Show”, promoting Conservative figures. This show was streamed on Youtube, peaking with about six million viewers. Kid Rock was the main artist that performed, as well as featured performances from Lee Brice, Gabby Barrett and Brantly Gilbert. This performance was also a tribute to the passing of Charlie Kirk. A patriotic theme was prevalent throughout the show with music such as an electric guitar version of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, as some criticized Bad Bunny for his Spanish-language focus and the overall “un-American feel”.
The commercials of the Super Bowl are also another feature fans enjoy watching. However, they took on a different theme this year. A lot of the commercials were about or made to look like they were made by AI. Many critics say the messages of the commercials were unclear and ineffective. This disappointed a lot of fans worldwide, even students at St. Petersburg High School. Mia Temonia, a junior at St. Petersburg High School, was among those fans who were dissatisfied with the commercials. Temonia says “Super Bowl commercials are well-known for emphasis on creativity and uniqueness, and when they’re created artificially, it takes away the excitement from watching the event”.
The half time show became almost as important as the game itself, generating debates, laughter, and opinions that spread across the crowd. Many traditions were created or carried out through the gathering of friends and family. Although the commercials were not a crowd favorite, they drew people together as a collective audience. While the Super Bowl is rooted in football tradition, it has grown into a cultural event where the halftime show and memorable commercials help bring people together in a shared experience that extends far beyond the game itself.
