By Sound Cartel Empire | Entertainment
Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr is set to take Afrobeats to another major international stage after being announced as the headline performer for the halftime show at the 2026 NFL London Game.
The singer will perform on Sunday, October 11, 2026, when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time.
Ayra Starr Takes Afrobeats to the NFL
The performance will form part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games and will be presented by American Express. The league has planned a record seven halftime shows across its international schedule this season.
The NFL described Ayra Starr as one of the defining voices of a new generation of global music coming from Africa. According to the league, she has accumulated more than seven billion global streams and one billion YouTube views since making her debut in 2021.
Her upcoming appearance also adds another major international milestone to a career that has already included performances at major events, including the Glastonbury Festival.
Starrgirl Era Gets a Global Stage
The NFL performance comes during the rollout of Ayra Starr’s third studio album, Starrgirl, which was released on August 14.The project features collaborations with international and African stars including ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid, giving the singer an opportunity to introduce her latest musical era to an even wider audience.
Ayra Starr said the London performance is a dream come true and expressed excitement about bringing Starrgirl to the NFL’s global audience.
A Major Moment for African Music
The announcement represents another significant crossover moment for Afrobeats, placing one of Nigeria’s leading young artists at the centre of a major international sporting event.
With the NFL continuing to expand its international presence, Ayra Starr’s halftime performance gives African pop music another opportunity to reach audiences outside its traditional markets.
The full halftime performance will be broadcast live in the UK on 5 and Sky Sports.
