Ayra Starr to Headline 2026 NFL London Game Halftime Show

Ayra Starr to Headline 2026 NFL London Game Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has been announced as the halftime performer for the 2026 NFL London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The NFL made the announcement on Thursday, August 27, confirming that Ayra Starr will take the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, October 11. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time (9:30 a.m. ET).

Her booking comes with a notable first. The NFL says Ayra Starr will become the first Afrobeats artist to headline a halftime show at one of its games.

Photo: Instagram/@complex_uk

She is also among seven artists selected to perform during halftime across the NFL’s 2026 International Games, presented by American Express. This year’s international programme will see regular-season games played in seven countries across four continents.

Ayra Starr reacted to the announcement on social media, describing the London performance as a dream come true.

“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 performance comes less than two months after the release of her third studio album, Starrgirl, which arrived on August 14. The 16-track album features collaborations with artists including ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid.

That timing gives the singer an opportunity to introduce Starrgirl to an audience far beyond her usual music listeners. The NFL’s London games attract fans from different backgrounds, making the halftime stage another major international platform for her music.

Photo: Instagram/@ayrastarr

The league also pointed to Ayra Starr’s growing profile outside Nigeria. According to the NFL, she has accumulated more than seven billion global streams and over one billion views on YouTube since beginning her career in 2021. She has also earned two Grammy nominations for Best African Music Performance, won the BET Award for Best International Act and performed at Glastonbury Festival.

Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, said the decision was influenced partly by the strong connection between African music and London, as well as Ayra Starr’s relationship with audiences in the city.

The October game is part of the NFL’s biggest international schedule. The league will stage regular-season games in London, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Paris and Rio de Janeiro in 2026. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to host two London games, while Wembley Stadium will host another.

The halftime show will be broadcast live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and Sky Sports.

With her October appearance, Ayra Starr will bring Afrobeats to one of the NFL’s biggest international stages and become the first artist from the genre to headline an NFL game halftime show.