Ayra Starr poised for historic NFL London halftime show performance

By Ihuoma Inyama

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr is set to make history after being announced as the headline performer for the 2026 NFL London Game halftime show, becoming the first Afrobeats artist to take on the role.

The Grammy-nominated singer will perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11, when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL’s London fixture. 

The performance will give Ayra Starr an opportunity to showcase Afrobeats on one of the NFL’s biggest international stages as the league continues to expand its global presence. The 2026 international schedule features a record seven halftime shows across seven countries and four continents.

Reacting to the announcement, Ayra Starr described the opportunity as a dream come true, saying London is one of her favourite places and expressing excitement about bringing her fans to the NFL stage.

The announcement comes shortly after the release of her third studio album, Starrgirl, which features collaborations with artists including Wizkid, ZAYN and Leon Thomas. The project has added further momentum to what has already been a major year for the singer.

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The NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, Tim Tubito, praised Starr as a generational talent with a strong connection to London’s music audience.

He also highlighted the growing influence of African music globally, saying Starr was the right artist to continue the momentum created by previous London halftime performances.

For Ayra Starr, the performance represents another significant step in her international career. From Glastonbury to major global stages, the singer has continued to expand her reach beyond Africa.

Now, with millions expected to follow the NFL fixture, Ayra Starr is preparing for another global spotlight, this time with Afrobeats at the centre of the show