Ayra Starr will headline the NFL London halftime show on October 11, 2026, becoming the first Afrobeats artist to perform at an NFL International Game.
Ayra Starr will headline the NFL London halftime show as the 24-year-old Beninese-Nigerian Grammy nominee becomes the first Afrobeats artist to perform at an NFL International Game. She is set to take the stage on October 11, 2026, when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The National Football League announced the booking on August 27, confirming that the singer will perform during halftime of the London matchup. The appearance adds another major international platform to Ayra Starr’s growing career and further highlights the reach of Afrobeats.
Ayra Starr Set For Historic NFL London Show
The 2026 NFL London Game is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, at 2:30 p.m. BST, or 9:30 a.m. ET. The game will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London, one of the league’s main international venues.
According to the NFL, Ayra Starr will headline the halftime show presented by American Express. The performance will be broadcast free to air on Channel 5 and on Sky Sports in the UK.
Her appearance makes her the first Afrobeats artist to headline an NFL International Game Halftime Show. Previous London halftime performances have featured mostly British and American acts, giving the Nigerian singer a different place in the event’s history.
Ayra Starr Calls London Performance A Dream
Reacting to the announcement, Ayra Starr described the opportunity as a major milestone in her career.“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London,” she said. “London is one of my favorite 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!”
The performance comes shortly after the release of her third studio album, Starrgirl, which arrived on August 14, 2026. The project debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard World Albums Chart and includes collaborations with ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid.
Since making 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 former performer on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
NFL Explains Ayra Starr’s London Selection
NFL Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, Tim Tubito, said Ayra Starr’s connection with London audiences was one of the reasons behind the choice.
“The NFL London games are the foundation of everything we have built internationally, and the halftime show has become one of the biggest moments which makes these events so special,” Tubito said.
“London is one of the most influential music cities in the world, and African music has been at the centre of that conversation for years now. Ayra Starr is a generational talent with a real connection to fans in this market, and building on the halftime shows we have staged in London in recent seasons, she is the right artist to carry that momentum forward.”
The league has described London as one of its most established international markets. The halftime show has also become an important part of its efforts to connect with fans beyond the game itself.
NFL Plans Seven International Halftime Shows
Ayra Starr’s performance is one of seven halftime shows planned for the 2026 NFL International Games. The games will cover seven countries across four continents, marking the league’s biggest international schedule in a single season.
The wider programme is part of the NFL’s continued international expansion, with music playing a role in introducing the league to audiences in different markets. Other international games this season are scheduled to take place in Brazil, Germany, Spain and Australia, with each event featuring its own performer.
For the London fixture, Ayra Starr’s selection also reflects the city’s long-standing connection with Afrobeats. The genre has become a major part of the UK’s music scene, with Nigerian and other African artists regularly appearing on British charts, festivals and playlists.
What Ayra Starr’s NFL Show Means For Afrobeats
Ayra Starr’s NFL appearance comes as Nigerian and African music continues to gain space across major international entertainment platforms. African artists such as Burna Boy and Tems have already performed or featured in major global sporting and entertainment events.
The NFL booking gives Afrobeats another prominent platform, this time during a live American football game in London that will attract thousands of spectators and a worldwide television audience.
Fans on X quickly welcomed the announcement, with many describing the booking as a major moment for African music. Her songs, including Rush, Commas and Gimme Dat, have also given her a catalogue suited to the fast pace of a halftime performance.
Ayra Starr Brings Starrgirl Era To NFL Stage
The timing of the performance comes during Ayra Starr’s Starrgirl era. Released through Mavin Records and Republic Records, the album combines Afrobeats with R&B and pop while reflecting the singer’s development as a songwriter and performer.
The NFL show could provide an opportunity for her to introduce songs from the new album to a large international audience, alongside some of the tracks that have become fan favourites.
Production details for the halftime show have not yet been announced. The NFL, however, said it is looking forward to working with Ayra Starr on a performance that captures the energy of the occasion.
Ayra Starr’s NFL Moment Awaits
When the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars meet on October 11, attention will extend beyond the game itself as Ayra Starr prepares to make her NFL International Game debut.
For the singer, the London performance adds another major appearance to a career that has already taken her to some of the world’s biggest music platforms.
For Afrobeats, it provides another opportunity for the genre to reach audiences through one of the biggest sports leagues in the world.
With the NFL London halftime show now confirmed, fans will have to wait until October to see how Ayra Starr brings her Starrgirl era to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stage.
