Ayra Starr will make history as the first Afrobeats artist to headline an NFL International Game halftime show when she performs at the 2026 NFL London Game on October 11.

The National Football League announced the booking on August 27. Starr will take the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the match between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time (9:30 a.m. Eastern Time). The venue holds approximately 62,850 spectators.

The performance forms part of a record seven American Express-presented halftime shows planned across the NFL’s 2026 International Games. These shows will span seven countries and four continents as the league stages its most extensive international schedule to date.

Starr, a Beninese-Nigerian singer-songwriter and two-time Grammy nominee for Best African Music Performance, expressed excitement about the opportunity. “I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London,” she said in a statement. “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 announcement arrives shortly after the release of her third studio album, Starrgirl, which dropped on August 14 via Mavin Records and Republic Records. The project features collaborations with Wizkid, Zayn, Leon Thomas, Rema and others. Hits from her catalog, including tracks such as “Rush,” “Away” and new material from the latest album, are expected to feature in the set.

NFL Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment Tim Tubito praised the selection.

“London is one of the most influential music cities in the world, and African music has been at the center 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”
Tim Tubito, NFL Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment

The full performance will be broadcast live free-to-air in the United Kingdom on Channel 5 and on Sky Sports. Fans elsewhere will be able to follow coverage through various international partners, including SuperSport in parts of Africa.

Starr’s booking continues a broader trend of African artists appearing on major global sports stages. Nigerian acts such as Burna Boy, Tems and others have previously performed at high-profile sporting events, including NBA and FIFA-related shows.

Her London appearance marks a notable expansion of Afrobeats into the NFL’s international programming.

Promotional Materials

Promotional materials released with the announcement show Starr in striking poses against bold graphics, including one image of her wearing a green Philadelphia Eagles jersey numbered 26. Official posters highlight the date, the Eagles-versus-Jaguars matchup and the American Express sponsorship.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host two NFL games in consecutive weeks. The Indianapolis Colts face the Washington Commanders there on October 4, followed by the Eagles-Jaguars contest on October 11. The Jacksonville Jaguars will then play a second London game the following week at Wembley Stadium against the Houston Texans.

Starr has built a strong international following through consistent releases, festival appearances including Glastonbury and a distinctive blend of Afrobeats, R&B and pop. Her rise has positioned her among the leading voices of a new generation of African artists reaching global audiences.

The NFL has increasingly used its international games to showcase diverse musical talent and connect with local markets. London has long served as a cornerstone of that strategy. Selecting an Afrobeats headliner reflects the growing commercial and cultural influence of African music in major Western markets.

As October approaches, anticipation is building among fans of both the NFL and Afrobeats. Starr’s performance is expected to deliver high energy and visual spectacle suited to a large stadium setting, introducing her music to new audiences while celebrating the continued global expansion of the genre.

Tickets for the Eagles-Jaguars game are available through official NFL and stadium channels. Viewers unable to attend in person can catch the halftime show on the designated UK broadcasters and through international sports networks carrying the match.

With this booking, Ayra Starr joins a select group of artists who have used NFL stages to amplify their reach. For Afrobeats, the moment represents another significant milestone on the world stage.