Ayra Starr, the Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer, is set to headline the halftime show at the 2026 National Football League (NFL) game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars in London on October 11.
Gatekeepers News reports that the performance will make Ayra Starr the first major African artist to headline an NFL halftime show.
The NFL announced the development in a statement on Thursday, describing Starr as the “first-ever Afrobeats artist to headline an NFL game.”
Starr also confirmed the announcement, describing the performance as a “dream come true”.
“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London,” she said.
“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!”
The game will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with Starr’s halftime performance forming part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games.
According to the NFL, the London show will be one of seven halftime performances presented by American Express across its 2026 International Games. The performances will take place across seven countries and four continents.
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, described Starr as a “generational 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.
“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.
“We look forward to collaborating with her on a performance that captures the energy that matches the moment.”
The 2026 NFL London Game will kick off at 2:30pm British Summer Time on October 11, with the Eagles facing the Jaguars.
