Bad Bunny Blocks Taylor Swift From Hot 100 No. 1 as Kelce Retirement Decision Nears

Taylor Swift is climbing again — but not all the way.

Her latest single, “Opalite,” surged to No. 8 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100, fueled by a wave of remixes and alternate versions that reportedly sparked a 300 percent jump in sales. Under normal circumstances, that kind of momentum might be enough to push a global superstar back to the summit.

Instead, Swift finds herself boxed out of the top spot by a surge of hits from Bad Bunny, whose recent Super Bowl appearance has triggered a powerful post-performance streaming spike.

Bad Bunny currently holds four songs inside the top seven — at Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 7 — reshaping the competitive landscape of the chart almost overnight. The Puerto Rican star’s Super Bowl visibility has translated into measurable gains across his catalog, delivering his first career No. 1 on the Hot 100.

For Swift, the timing is complicated.

The chart race is unfolding as fans await a decision from her fiancé, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, regarding his potential retirement. That decision could directly influence Swift’s own Super Bowl trajectory — and, by extension, her chart performance.

Swift’s Super Bowl Stance Looms Over the Charts

Swift has previously stated she would not perform at a Super Bowl halftime show while Kelce is still actively playing, citing concerns about being distracted during the NFL season.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last year, promoting her album The Life of a Showgirl, Swift described watching football as an intense emotional experience.

“That is violent chess. That is gladiators without swords. That is dangerous,” she said, explaining that she remains fully focused on Kelce’s on-field performance during the season.

She also emphasized that the decision is hers alone, noting that Kelce has never pressured her to decline the opportunity.

Without the boost of a halftime appearance, “Opalite” must rely on organic streaming growth and remix-driven sales rather than the kind of national-stage exposure that routinely drives massive short-term spikes.

Super Bowl halftime performers historically see dramatic increases in streaming and sales in the days following their performance. Billboard has documented post-show surges ranging from 175 percent to nearly 300 percent. Last year’s performer, Kendrick Lamar, occupied five of the top 10 spots immediately after his appearance.

In contrast, Swift’s current climb is happening without that platform.

Bad Bunny’s Momentum Changes the Equation

Bad Bunny’s recent Super Bowl exposure appears to be the decisive factor in this week’s chart reshuffle.

The heightened visibility has propelled multiple tracks into the upper tier of the Hot 100, including placements at Nos. 1 and 2. Beyond the top seven, he also holds positions at Nos. 11 and 14, reflecting a broad catalog-wide surge rather than a single-hit spike.

The result is a crowded leaderboard that even Swift — who has logged 13 career No. 1 singles and swept all 12 top spots just four months ago — is struggling to break through.

Her most recent No. 1, “The Fate of Ophelia,” topped the chart in October during the height of her album rollout. That dominance occurred without the aid of a Super Bowl appearance, underscoring her independent drawing power.

Still, the contrast is striking.

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl momentum has reshaped the competitive environment at precisely the moment Swift is mounting another push.

Kelce’s Decision Could Shift the Landscape

Kelce’s retirement decision is expected by early March, coinciding with the start of the new NFL league year. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently indicated that he believes Kelce will return for the 2026 season, which would delay any potential Super Bowl performance plans for Swift.

If that projection holds, Swift’s path back to No. 1 will depend solely on sustained streaming growth and continued sales expansion rather than a halftime catalyst.

The ceiling, however, remains enormous.

Given Swift’s track record — including her unprecedented chart sweep last fall — the prospect of a future Super Bowl performance would likely trigger one of the largest measurable spikes in recent Billboard history.

For now, the numbers tell a clear story.

Bad Bunny owns the moment.

Swift is climbing — but without the Super Bowl spotlight, she remains just short of reclaiming the summit.