Super Bowl 2026 clashes with Russia-Cuba oil tensions amid record ads and Bad Bunny's show
The Super Bowl 2026 is set to take place in Santa Clara, California, with the New England Patriots facing the Seattle Seahawks. This year's event will feature high-profile ads, star-studded performances, and a record-breaking audience of around 130 million viewers.
Meanwhile, tensions have risen as Russia responds to US trade threats by sending oil supplies to Cuba, escalating diplomatic friction.
The game will air on NBC, with advertising slots costing between $8 and $10 million for 30 seconds. Among the most anticipated commercials is a PepsiCo ad directed by Taika Waititi, featuring a polar bear taste-testing Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Emma Stone will star in a humorous spot where her character repeatedly fails to register a website under her own name, smashing laptops in frustration. Other celebrity-led ads include Matthew McConaughey for Uber Eats, Lady Gaga for Rocket, and Elle Fanning for a mayonnaise brand. Sabrina Carpenter will also appear as the spokesperson for Pringles.
Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show, while Charlie Puth performs the U.S. national anthem. The event comes as Emma Stone, fresh from her Oscar win for Poor Things, adds to her accolades—she previously won for La La Land.
Separately, Russia has intensified its support for Cuba following US trade threats. A tanker named Sea Horse, carrying 200,000 barrels of diesel, is en route to Havana and expected in early March 2026. This follows a February 2025 delivery of 100,000 tons. President Putin called the US blockade 'unacceptable' during a February 2026 meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez. Foreign Minister Lavrov warned against a naval blockade, while Vice Premier Alexandr Nóvak confirmed that new oil supply proposals are under review by the Justice Ministry within the intergovernmental commission.
The Super Bowl 2026 promises record viewership and high-profile entertainment, from celebrity ads to Bad Bunny's halftime performance. At the same time, Russia's oil shipments to Cuba highlight ongoing geopolitical tensions, with officials condemning US trade restrictions and reinforcing alliances. The event will unfold against this backdrop of both spectacle and international friction.
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