Ayra Starr to Become First Afrobeats Artist to Headline NFL London Halftime Show
Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr is set to make history as the first Afrobeats artist to headline an NFL halftime show when she performs at the Philadelphia Eagles-Jacksonville Jaguars game in London on October 11.
The National Football League (NFL) announced on Thursday that the singer will headline the halftime show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as the league continues to expand its international entertainment programme.
The performance will be part of a record seven halftime shows presented by American Express across the NFL’s 2026 International Games, spanning seven countries and four continents.
The London game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. BST (9:30 a.m. ET) on Sunday, October 11, with Ayra Starr’s performance set to further showcase Afrobeats to a global sports audience.
Ayra Starr, whose real name is Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, said performing in London would be a dream come true, describing the city as one of her favourite places in the world.
“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London,” she said. “London is one of my favourite places in the world and to bring Starrgirl to the NFL global stage is a dream come true for me.”
The appearance comes shortly after the release of her third studio album, Starrgirl, on August 14. The album features collaborations with ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid.
Since her debut in 2021, Ayra Starr has amassed more than seven billion global streams and one billion YouTube views. She is also a two-time GRAMMY nominee for Best African Music Performance, a BET Award winner for Best International Act and a performer at Glastonbury Festival.
The NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, Tim Tubito, described Ayra Starr as a “generational talent” with a strong connection to London audiences.
“London is one of the most influential music cities in the world, and African music has been at the center of that conversation for years now,” Tubito said.
He said Ayra Starr was the right artist to build on the momentum of previous NFL halftime shows in London.
Her performance will also extend a growing connection between African music and major international sporting events. Nigerian artists Burna Boy, Rema and Tems performed at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, while Burna Boy co-headlined the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show that same year.
The NFL will stage two regular-season games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on consecutive Sundays in October. The first, on October 4, will feature the Indianapolis Colts against the Washington Commanders, with alternative halftime entertainment to be announced.
The 2026 NFL International Games will also take place in Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Paris and Rio de Janeiro, with Melbourne, Paris and Rio representing new markets for the league this season.
Beyond a historic halftime performance, Ayra Starr’s London appearance will place one of Nigeria’s leading Afrobeats voices at the centre of the NFL’s expanding global sports and entertainment strategy.
