Photo credit: billboardafrica
Ayra Starr is taking Afrobeats to one of the world’s biggest sports stages. The Nigerian singer will headline the Ayra Starr NFL halftime show during the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars game in London on Oct. 11.
The performance will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. BST.
Ayra Starr NFL Halftime Show Makes History
Starr’s upcoming performance marks a major milestone for Afrobeats.
She will become the first Afrobeats artist selected to headline a halftime show in the NFL International Game series. The performance also highlights the growing global influence of African music.
The NFL described Starr as one of the leading voices of a new generation of global music coming out of Africa. She has earned two Grammy nominations and a BET Award for Best International Act.
Ayra Starr Takes Afrobeats to London
The London performance comes at an exciting point in Starr’s career.
The singer recently released her third studio album, Starrgirl, on Aug. 14. The project features collaborations with artists including Wizkid, ZAYN and Leon Thomas.
Starr said she is excited to perform at the NFL halftime show and described bringing Starrgirl to the global stage as a dream come true.
Her upcoming appearance will give her music another opportunity to reach audiences beyond traditional Afrobeats spaces.
Eagles and Jaguars Set for London Showdown
The halftime performance will take place during the Week 5 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The game is one of three NFL regular-season games scheduled in London during the 2026 season. The Eagles and Jaguars will meet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while another Jaguars game against the Houston Texans will take place at Wembley Stadium the following week.
The NFL has also announced halftime performers for other international games as part of a record seven halftime shows across its 2026 International Games.
Ayra Starr Continues Her Global Rise
Starr’s NFL booking adds another major international achievement to her résumé.
Since launching her career in 2021, she has built a worldwide audience through her music and high-profile performances. The NFL says she has accumulated more than seven billion global streams and one billion YouTube views.
Now, she is preparing to bring that global audience to the NFL stage in London.
For Afrobeats fans, the Oct. 11 performance will be another significant moment for the genre as it continues to expand its reach around the world.
Source: NFL
