Afrobeats star Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as 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 between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The National Football League, NFL, announced the development in a statement on Thursday, with the Nigerian singer also confirming her participation in a post shared on her official Instagram account.
The highly anticipated game is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, where Ayra Starr will take the stage during the halftime interval as part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games.
Expressing her excitement ahead of the performance, Ayra Starr 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.
The performance represents another major international milestone for the Nigerian singer, whose rise in the global music scene has helped further expose Afrobeats to audiences outside Africa.
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The NFL said Ayra Starr’s London performance would be one of seven halftime shows presented by American Express during its 2026 International Games.
According to the league, the performances will take place across seven countries and four continents as part of efforts to enhance the entertainment experience surrounding its international fixtures.
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, described Ayra Starr as a major musical talent with a strong connection to audiences in London.
“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,” while expressing the league’s excitement about working with her to create a performance that would match the scale and energy of the occasion.
Ayra Starr’s selection also highlights the growing influence of African music on the international entertainment scene, particularly the increasing global reach of Afrobeats.
The singer has established herself as one of Nigeria’s leading contemporary music stars, attracting a growing international audience through her music and performances.
Her appearance at the NFL London Game will therefore mark a significant crossover between African music and one of the world’s biggest sporting leagues.
The performance will also make Ayra Starr the first major African artist to headline an NFL performance, adding another landmark achievement to her career.
Previous performers at NFL London games have largely featured British and American artists, making the inclusion of a leading African Afrobeats act a notable development in the league’s international entertainment programme.
The 2026 NFL London Game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on October 11, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The game and Ayra Starr’s halftime performance are expected to attract significant attention from both sports and music audiences, further strengthening the connection between the NFL’s international expansion and the global popularity of African music.
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