Ayra Starr to Make History as First African Act to Headline NFL International Halftime Show
Nigerian Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr is set to break new ground after being announced as the headline performer for the halftime show of the 2026 NFL London Game.
The National Football League (NFL) announced on Thursday that the “Heaven Baby” singer will take the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11.
“Global Afrobeats superstar @ayrastarr will headline the halftime show during the 2026 NFL London Game on Sunday, Oct. 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!” the league announced on X.
The performance will take place during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The booking makes Ayra Starr the first African artiste to headline an NFL international halftime show, marking another major milestone in the global expansion of Afrobeats.
The singer joins a growing list of Nigerian Afrobeats stars who have performed at major international sporting events, including Davido, Tems, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Rema.
For Ayra Starr, the NFL appearance adds another major global platform to a career that has seen her establish herself as one of the leading voices in the new generation of African music.
The 2026 NFL London Game will be staged at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which has hosted NFL regular-season games as part of the league’s international series.
Ayra Starr’s halftime performance is expected to further expose Afrobeats to the NFL’s international audience as the genre continues to expand its global reach.
