Ayra Starr to Make History as First Major African Artist to Headline NFL Halftime Show

Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr is set to make history on October 11 when she headlines the halftime show at the 2026 NFL London Game.

The singer will perform during the Philadelphia Eagles’ clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. BST.

The appearance will mark a major milestone in Starr’s international career and further strengthen the growing presence of African music on major global entertainment platforms.

The NFL described Starr as one of the leading voices of a new generation of African artists shaping global music. Since launching her career in 2021, she has built a worldwide audience and accumulated billions of streams.

Starr is also a two-time Grammy nominee and BET Award winner for Best International Act. Her international profile has continued to grow through appearances at major events, including the Glastonbury Festival.

Reacting to the announcement, Starr described the NFL halftime performance as a dream come true. She said she was excited to take her music, including songs from her recently released album Starrgirl, to the league’s global audience.

Tim Tubito, the NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, said Starr was selected partly because of her connection with London audiences and the growing influence of African music in the city.

Tubito described London as one of the world’s major music centres and noted that African music has become an important part of the city’s evolving music culture.

Starr’s performance is one of seven halftime shows planned for the NFL’s 2026 International Games, which are being staged across seven countries on four continents.

Her headline appearance is expected to further spotlight Afrobeats on the international stage while highlighting the expanding influence of Nigerian artists in global entertainment.