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Nigerian Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr is set to achieve another major international milestone after being announced as the headline performer for the halftime show of the 2026 NFL London Game.
The singer will take the stage when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 11, 2026.
The National Football League announced Ayra Starr’s participation on Thursday, with the Nigerian star also confirming the news through her Instagram page.
Her scheduled performance represents a significant moment for African music, as she is set to become the first major African artist to headline an NFL halftime show.
The opportunity will place Ayra Starr before a global audience while further highlighting the growing influence of Afrobeats and other African music genres on the international entertainment scene.
Speaking about her upcoming performance, the singer expressed excitement about returning to London for what she described as a dream opportunity.
“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!” she said.
The performance will take place as part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games, which will feature seven halftime performances across seven countries and four continents.
The international initiative is designed to take the NFL experience to audiences around the world while showcasing different cultures and musical talents during the league’s overseas games.
For Ayra Starr, the London appearance provides another opportunity to introduce her music to a wider audience.
The singer, whose real name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, has established herself as one of Nigeria’s prominent Afrobeats artistes since breaking into the mainstream music scene.
Her growing international profile has seen her perform in different parts of the world, while her music has attracted listeners far beyond Nigeria.
The NFL also highlighted the connection between London’s influential music culture and the increasing global presence of African music.
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, said Ayra Starr was an appropriate choice for the occasion.
“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 described Ayra Starr as “the right artist to carry that momentum forward” and expressed anticipation for the performance.
According to him, the league is looking forward to working with the singer to create a halftime show that reflects the excitement surrounding the game and the city’s connection with African music.
The Eagles and Jaguars game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on October 11.
The fixture will bring American football to one of London’s major sporting venues, with Ayra Starr’s performance expected to add a strong Afrobeats presence to the occasion.
Her selection also comes at a time when Nigerian and African artistes are increasingly appearing on major international stages.
From global festivals to award ceremonies and sporting events, Afrobeats stars have continued to gain opportunities to introduce African sounds to new audiences.
Ayra Starr’s upcoming NFL appearance therefore represents more than another performance in her growing career. It provides a platform for the singer to showcase Nigerian music to an international sporting audience and further demonstrate the reach of Afrobeats.
The performance will also come shortly after the release of her latest album, Starrgirl, giving her an opportunity to bring her recent music to one of the world’s biggest sporting platforms.
With the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars set to meet in London, attention will not only be on the action on the field but also on Ayra Starr’s historic halftime performance.
The October 11 show is expected to mark another important chapter in the singer’s international career and a notable moment for African music on the NFL stage.
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