Afrobeats star Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, is set to make history as the first major African artist to headline an NFL halftime show when she performs at the 2026 NFL London Game.
Ayra Starr will take the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday, October 11, during the halftime break of the clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The National Football League announced the development in a statement on Thursday, while the singer also confirmed the performance in a post shared on her official Instagram account.
Expressing her excitement over the opportunity, Ayra Starr said London remained one of her favourite cities and described 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 performance will mark a major milestone for African music and further highlight the growing global influence of Afrobeats.
The NFL said Ayra Starr’s London performance would be one of seven halftime shows presented by American Express as part of its 2026 International Games.
The performances will take place across seven countries and four continents, highlighting the league’s growing international reach and its efforts to connect American football with audiences around the world.
The NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, Tim Tubito, described Ayra Starr as a major musical talent with a strong connection to the London audience.
“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.
He described Ayra Starr as “the right artist to carry that momentum forward”, adding that the NFL looked forward to collaborating with her on a performance capable of matching the energy of the occasion.
The upcoming appearance will also place Ayra Starr among a select group of artists who have performed during NFL London games, with previous performers largely drawn from the British and American music scenes.
Her selection reflects the increasing prominence of African music on major international entertainment platforms, particularly as Afrobeats continues to gain audiences beyond the continent.
The 2026 NFL London Game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on October 11, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
For Ayra Starr, the performance represents another major achievement in her rapidly expanding international career and a significant moment for African music on the global sports stage.