Afrobeats star Ayra Starr, is set to make history as the first major African artist to headline an NFL halftime show.
The Nigerian singer will perform during the 2026 NFL London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars on October 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The National Football League (NFL) announced the performance on Thursday, with Ayra Starr also confirming the news in a post on her official Instagram account.
Expressing her excitement, the singer said performing at the NFL halftime show in London was a dream come true.
“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London.
“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.
I can’t wait to see you guys there!” she said.
The performance will form part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games, with the league featuring seven halftime shows presented by American Express across seven countries and four continents.
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, described Ayra Starr as a major talent with a strong connection to London audiences.
He said the singer was “the right artist to carry that momentum forward,” adding that the NFL looked forward to collaborating with her on a performance that would reflect the energy of the occasion.
Ayra Starr’s appearance represents a significant milestone for African music on the global stage.
Previous performers at NFL London games have largely been artists from the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2026 NFL London Game, scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on Sunday, October 11.
The performance is expected to further showcase Afrobeats and African pop music to a global audience through one of American sports’ biggest entertainment platforms.
