Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show Pauses New York City – and Toilets – in its Tracks
A record-breaking performance by Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl on February 9, 2026, had an unexpected side effect: a temporary pause in New Yorkers’ bathroom breaks. The sheer excitement surrounding the performance, affectionately dubbed the “Benito Bowl” by fans, demonstrably impacted water usage across the city’s five boroughs.
A City Holds Its Breath
Millions eagerly anticipated the performance by Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny. The anticipation was so intense that people actively delayed using the restroom to avoid missing a single moment of the show. According to a post from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, this collective restraint led to a noticeable reduction in water consumption during the halftime show.
“One can only assume that few bathroom trips were taken during Bad Bunny’s elaborate show because they didn’t want to miss a second,” a senior official stated.
The Floodgates Open: A Post-Performance Rush
The reprieve was temporary. Immediately following the performance, New York City experienced a dramatic surge in water usage. The NYC DEP reported that within 15 minutes of the show’s conclusion, water consumption spiked to the equivalent of 761,719 toilets flushing simultaneously.
“In the 15 minutes right after the show, there was a spike in usage equivalent to 761,719 toilets flushing across town,” the NYC DEP noted in its post. This surge underscores the collective relief – and urgency – felt by New Yorkers after witnessing the performance.
Here is the original X post from NYC Water:
NYC saw a significant reduction in water usage throughout the five boroughs during the Super Bowl’s #BadBunny halftime show yesterday, but in the 15 minutes right after the show ended, there was a spike in usage equivalent to 761,719 toilets flushing across town.#SBLX— NYC Water (@NYCWater) February 9, 2026
Global Impact and Record Viewership
Bad Bunny’s influence extends far beyond New York City’s plumbing. The performance garnered a staggering four billion views within the first 24 hours, representing a 137% increase year-over-year. More than 55% of all NFL social views originating from the show came from international markets, solidifying Bad Bunny’s status as a global icon.
The NFL’s social media clip featuring the artist’s message, “Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate is Love,” has become the league’s most-viewed social clip ever, amassing 179 million views and counting, with over half of those views originating outside the United States. Full global viewership figures for the performance on NBC and Peacock are expected to be released early next week.
A Reign on Top
Born in Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny has rapidly ascended to become one of the world’s most streamed artists. He has held the title of Spotify’s most-streamed artist for five consecutive years, surpassing even Taylor Swift in listenership. His unique musical style blends reggaeton, Latin trap, and traditional Latin rhythms like salsa and merengue, captivating audiences worldwide.
The Super Bowl performance is just the latest example of Bad Bunny’s cultural dominance, demonstrating his ability to not only entertain but also to momentarily alter the daily routines of an entire city.
