Nigerian Afrobeats singer 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.
The singer, whose real name is Sarah Aderibigbe, will perform during the highly anticipated clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday, October 11.
The National Football League announced the development on Thursday, with Ayra Starr also confirming the performance in a post shared on her official Instagram account.
Expressing her excitement, the singer said London was one of her favourite cities and described the opportunity to perform on the NFL’s global stage as a dream come true.
“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.
According to the NFL, the London performance will be one of seven halftime shows presented by American Express as part of its 2026 International Games.
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The performances will take place across seven countries and four continents, highlighting the league’s growing international reach.
The NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, Tim Tubito, described Ayra Starr as a major talent with a strong connection to London audiences.
“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 Ayra Starr was “the right artist to carry that momentum forward,” noting that the NFL looked forward to working with her to deliver a performance that would match the occasion.
Her appearance is expected to further highlight the growing global influence of Afrobeats and African music, particularly in major international entertainment platforms.
Previous performers at NFL London games have largely been British and American artists, making Ayra Starr’s selection a significant milestone for an African performer.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars are scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on October 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
