Ayra Starr is poised to etch her name into sports entertainment history as the first major African act to headline an NFL halftime show, with the Afrobeats singer booked to take the stage at the 2026 NFL London Game on October 11.
The National Football League made the announcement on Thursday, and the Nigerian star quickly confirmed the booking on her official Instagram. She will perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the Philadelphia Eagles’ clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of the league’s 2026 International Games.
She said she was thrilled to play the NFL halftime show in London, calling the city one of her favourite places in the world and describing the chance to bring Starrgirl to that global stage as a dream come true. She added that she cannot wait to see fans there.
The NFL said the London set is one of seven halftime performances presented by American Express across the 2026 International Games, with shows lined up in seven countries on four continents.
Tim Tubito, the league’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, said Ayra Starr’s rising influence made her a natural fit for London. He noted that the city remains one of the world’s most important music centres and that African music has sat at the heart of that conversation for years. He said she was the right artist to carry that energy forward and that the NFL looks forward to building a show that matches the night.
The booking adds another high-profile international mark for the singer as Afrobeats keeps finding space on the biggest entertainment stages. Kick-off for the 2026 NFL London Game is set for 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on October 11, with the Eagles facing the Jaguars.
