Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr set to headline 2026 NFL London Games halftime show

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr is set to take centre stage in London after being announced as the headline performer for the halftime show at the 2026 NFL London Games.

The singer will perform when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11.

Starr, a Beninese-Nigerian singer and songwriter, will bring her distinctive sound to one of the NFL’s biggest international events.

The two-time GRAMMY nominee for Best African Music Performance has established herself as one of Africa’s leading musical exports and has already performed at major international events, including Glastonbury Festival.

The 2026 London fixture will give her another huge global platform, with thousands of fans expected inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and millions more watching around the world.

Expressing her excitement, Starr said: “I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London. London is one of my favorite 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 Eagles-Jaguars clash will be the second NFL fixture staged at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in consecutive weeks, following the Indianapolis Colts' meeting with the Washington Commanders on October 4.

Starr's appointment also continues the growing relationship between African music and major sporting events. NFL senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment Tim Tubito described London as one of the world's most influential music cities and praised the growing impact of African music.

“Ayra Starr is a generational talent with a real connection to fans in this market,” Tubito said, backing the Nigerian star to deliver a performance matching the occasion.

She will now follow in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, who performed at the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show in 2026 alongside Shakira.

Burna Boy also headlined the 2023 UEFA Champions League final, further demonstrating how African artists have become increasingly prominent on football and sports' biggest stages.

For Starr, however, October 11 represents another opportunity to take Afrobeats to an entirely new audience.