Photo credit: Ayra Starr (instagram)
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr brought Afrobeats to the NFL London Game on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The Grammy-nominated star performed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The game featured the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Starr performed several of her popular songs, including “Rush,” “Hot Body” and “Heaven Baby.” She also caught attention with her purple corset-style top and black skirt. Her appearance added African music and fashion to the international sporting event.
Ayra Starr brings Afrobeats to NFL London Game
Starr’s halftime show gave football fans a taste of modern African music. The singer has built a global following through her unique sound and energetic performances.
She took the stage between the two halves of the Eagles and Jaguars game. Her set featured “Rush,” one of her biggest hits, alongside “Hot Body” and “Heaven Baby.”
Fans also shared clips of the performance on social media. The videos helped bring the show to people who were not at the stadium.
The performance was presented by American Express. It was part of the NFL’s plan to bring more live music to its international games in 2026.
Ayra Starr makes history for African music
Starr’s NFL appearance marked a major moment for African music. She became the first African artist to headline a halftime show at an international NFL game.
The milestone also showed the growing reach of Afrobeats. African artists continue to gain fans through global tours, major festivals and international partnerships.
Since her career took off in 2021, Starr has earned major awards and industry recognition. She won the BET Award for Best International Act and received two Grammy nominations for Best African Music Performance.
She has also performed at Glastonbury Festival on its famous Pyramid Stage. Her NFL appearance adds another major event to her growing list of international performances.
Ayra Starr takes new music to London
The performance followed the release of Starr’s third studio album, Starrgirl, on August 14, 2026.
The album features collaborations with international artists, including ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid. These partnerships reflect her growing reach across different music markets.
Starr continues to connect with fans through new songs and live performances. Her NFL appearance gave her another chance to share her music with a global audience.
The show also offered a platform to celebrate her Nigerian roots. Through Afrobeats, she helped bring African sounds to one of America’s most popular sports.
NFL expands its global music lineup
The NFL continues to use live music to connect with fans around the world. Its international games now offer more than football, with performances that celebrate different artists and cultures.
The league planned halftime shows across seven countries and four continents during its 2026 international season. Starr’s appearance formed part of that wider effort.
Her performance in London also highlighted the growing influence of African artists in global entertainment. As Afrobeats reaches more listeners, stars like Starr continue to introduce the genre to new audiences.
With her NFL halftime show, Ayra Starr added another milestone to her career. She also brought Nigerian music to a major international sporting stage.
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