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Afrobeats star Ayra Starr is set to make history as the first major African artist to headline an NFL halftime show when she performs at the 2026 NFL London Game on October 11.
The National Football League announced the development on Thursday, with the Nigerian singer also confirming the performance in a post on her official Instagram account.
Ayra Starr will perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars, which is part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games.
“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!” Ayra Starr said.
The NFL said the London show is one of seven halftime performances presented by American Express during its 2026 International Games, with shows scheduled across seven countries and four continents.
The league’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, Tim Tubito, said Ayra Starr’s growing influence made her an appropriate choice for the London event.
“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,” Tubito said.
He added that the singer was “the right artist to carry that momentum forward” and said the NFL looked forward to working with her on a performance that would match the energy of the occasion.
The appearance will mark another major international milestone for the Nigerian singer, whose performance comes as Afrobeats continues to gain prominence on major global entertainment platforms.
The 2026 NFL London Game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on October 11, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
