Go Behind-the-Scenes at Super Bowl 2026 with PEOPLE: From the Dancing Grass People to Blue Ivy's Photo Moment and the Post-Game Confetti
Go Behind-the-Scenes at Super Bowl 2026 with PEOPLE: From the Dancing Grass People to Blue Ivy's Photo Moment and the Post-Game Confetti
Lindsay Kimble, Skyler CarusoTue, February 10, 2026 at 1:57 AM UTC
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Performers dressed as foliage for Bad Bunny's halftime show
Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty
PEOPLE had behind-the-scenes access at the 2025 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, Calif., between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots
Our reporters spotted sisters Blue Ivy and Rumi, and their dad Jay-Z taking photos on the sidelines before the game and celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Leonardo DiCaprio in luxury boxes
Bad Bunny’s halftime show featured surprise guests Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, plus performers dressed as grass bushes
The sun was shining on the Bay Area on Sun., Feb. 8, for a star-studded Super Bowl 2026 — and PEOPLE was there for all the action both on and off the field.
As Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots fans swarmed Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., PEOPLE's reporters were watching for celebrity attendees, athlete interactions and halftime show prep.
PEOPLE had access backstage at the stadium, allowing a sneak peek at some of the performers and set pieces for the pregame and halftime shows.
Upon arrival, media was held up as a parade of speakers were carted past alongside the oversized photo booth used to conceal some of the NFL's most recognizable MVPs before their entrance during Green Day's pregame set.
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At the same time, swaths of people were entering the holding areas dressed in dark green sweatshirts and sweatpants. The performers were exuberant as they scanned their credentials, many hugging and laughing while moving about staff spaces.
Only later, as the field was set in just minutes for Bad Bunny's electric halftime performance, was it clear that the sweatsuit-clad performers were transformed into the viral grass bushes that moved around the field throughout the show.
As pregame festivities approached, PEOPLE trekked down to the best seats around the perimeter of the Levi's Stadium field. From our reporters' vantage points, we spotted Blue Ivy and her little sister, Rumi, with dad Jay-Z snagging a few photos on the sidelines.
Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin and his wife hung on the Patriots sidelines in owner Robert Kraft’s crew to watch the team prep for the game. They were joined by rapper Travis Scott and other familiar faces in their circle of friends.
Blue Ivy on the field for the 2026 Super Bowl
Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty
Travis Kelce was also on the field ahead of kickoff, marking the first time in three years that the tight end was at a Super Bowl but not playing in it. PEOPLE captured video of Kelce mingling with other athletes, including Arik Armstead of the Jacksonville Jaguars, while walking around the turf ahead of his participation in the Walter Payton Man of the Year segment.
Once the Patriots were on the field for their warm-up, PEOPLE looked on as wide receiver Stefon Diggs led his team in a little pregame hype circle.
We also spotted the football-shaped Bad Bunny light-up lanyards placed at each seat in the stadium, alongside flags that attendees were asked to raise during the pregame music. Game attendees helped spell out "America 250" in honor of this year's landmark Semiquincentennial.
Stefon Diggs during the pregame with his team, the New England Patriots
Kevin Sabitus/Getty
After Coco Jones performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" in a white, two-piece look designed in honor of Whitney Houston's unforgettable 1991 national anthem performance, the star got a sweet sidelines kiss from her fiancé Donovan Mitchell.
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PEOPLE also looked on as Charlie Puth accompanied himself on piano for the national anthem. Shortly after, the moment was punctuated by fireworks and a joint U.S. Air Force and Navy flyover. The noise from the planes was so intense, the entire stadium shook.
Coco Jones and Donovan Mitchell
Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty
Once the game was underway, PEOPLE scoped out all the luxury boxes at the stadium, spying Kendall Jenner sitting with bestie Hailey Bieber, just behind the former's sister Kim Kardashian West and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton. We spotted Leonardo DiCaprio in another box, and MGK sitting with actress Eiza González.
U.S. Navy and Air Force flyover during the 2026 Super Bowl
JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty
But by halftime, many of the celeb attendees were quite literally on the field.
For Bad Bunny's hits-spanning performance, the NFL recreated La Casita, which was a presence throughout his residency and tour. PEOPLE watched as stars like Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, Karol G, Jessica Alba and Young Miko walked across the field and into place in La Casita. After their dancing segment of the show, the group playfully ran off the field, with Pascal smiling and filming them on his phone.
From center left: Pedro Pascal, Karol G and Cardi B during the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show
Chris Graythen/Getty
Much like the flyover, the rapper had the entire stadium vibrating with the bass. Fans in the crowd proudly waved the national flag of Puerto Rico while screaming for Bad Bunny and his special guest stars, Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
Gaga was all smiles as she walked off the field in her flowing blue dress following her surprise performance of "Die with a Smile." PEOPLE watched as she took the time to applaud the background dancers and flag bearers who also took part in the show.
As the second half of the game got underway, PEOPLE spotted attendees shelling out $180 for the viral, LX Hammer Burger (an exclusive offering at Levi's Stadium for the big game).
And who could miss the streaker who was tackled near the 10-yard-line and escorted off the field by security during the fourth quarter? Our reporters actually spotted a second attempted streaker, who was stopped in action before he could make it onto the turf.
After the Seahawks clinched their 29-13 victory over the Patriots, a cloud of neon green and blue confetti filled the air. PEOPLE looked on as Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold stood still and soaked in the emotional moment surrounded by his teammates.
Seattle fans then swarmed the field — including Chris Pratt. Pratt was a staple both postgame and pregame, when he was given the honor of introducing the Seahawks alongside his son, Jack.
During the Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation, players’ families rushed the field to celebrate with their loved ones while confetti piled up on the ground around them. The Seahawks mascot Blitz ran around the field, and even threw Pratt over his shoulder while the actor held up a peace sign and cheered.
See PEOPLE's full coverage of the 2026 Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, which aired live on NBC on Sun., Feb. 8, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
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