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.

Diana Eneje is engaged to businessman Pascal Godwin, confirming a relationship that had remained largely outside the public eye despite years of speculation about her love life. The 24-year-old Nigerian fashion influencer and content creator announced the engagement on Instagram on Friday, August 21, sharing photographs from the proposal and captioning the post, “my forever.”

Photo: Instagram/@dianaeneje

Godwin proposed in Cape Town, South Africa, where the couple marked the occasion with an elaborate outdoor setup surrounded by vineyards and mountain views. The proposal featured a large white balloon arch, illuminated letters spelling “WILL YOU MARRY ME,” white flowers and tall glass candles. Colourful smoke cannons were also used during the proposal, while the platform beneath the couple carried the words “Forever STARTS HERE!”

Photo: Instagram/@dianaeneje

For the occasion, Eneje wore a brown strapless, floor-length gown with structured pleating through the body, cut-out details at the front and a flowing side train. She paired the dress with red-bottom heels and wore her blonde braids in a high pinned-up style, with curls framing her face. Her accessories included simple earrings, a dainty bracelet and a silver sparkle anklet.

Godwin kept his outfit simple for the proposal, wearing a white short-sleeved button-down shirt with dark trousers and sunglasses, and completing the look with Louis Vuitton trainers.

Photo: Instagram/@dianaeneje

The engagement ring featured a large marquise-cut centre diamond set on a pavé band, paired with a second diamond ring. The centre stone had a long, narrow shape, while the band was slim.

The engagement also marks the first major public confirmation of Eneje’s relationship with Godwin. The influencer had kept her romantic life private even as she and Godwin were linked through online rumours. Occasional clips of the pair together had circulated on social media, including one post that was reportedly shared and later taken down, but neither had publicly confirmed the relationship before the announcement.

Eneje had also previously been the subject of dating rumours involving Afrobeats singer Rema, although that relationship was never confirmed by either party.

The announcement attracted congratulatory messages from fans, friends and fellow celebrities. Neither Eneje nor Godwin had disclosed further details about when their relationship began or announced wedding plans.

Ayra Starr has explained why she has been absent from social media in recent days, revealing that she is recovering from major surgery.

The Nigerian singer shared the update on her Instagram Stories, where she apologised to fans for her silence and admitted that the experience had been tougher than she expected. According to the Mavin Records star, the operation took place only a few days ago, and recovery has required more time than she initially anticipated.

Photo: Instagram/@ayrastarr

“Hey Mobstarrs, I’m sorry you’re not seeing as much of me as I would like, I had major surgery a few days ago. I was hoping it would be a quick recovery, but it was more complicated than they expected. I just need a bit of rest and I’ll be back!!!” she wrote, assuring fans that she is okay and simply needs time to rest before returning to work.

Her message quickly drew attention with fans flooding social media with prayers and well wishes. Many thanked the singer for sharing the update herself and encouraged her to focus on getting better before resuming her busy schedule.

Ayra did not disclose the reason for the surgery or the medical condition that led to it, and no further information has been released by her management. As such, claims circulating online about the procedure remain unconfirmed and should be treated as speculation.

Photo: Instagram/@ayrastarr

The announcement comes during a busy period for the singer, who is set to make her acting debut in the upcoming film adaptation of “Children of Blood and Bone.”

She thanked fans for their patience and support, promising that she will return once she has fully regained her strength.

For now, no timeline has been given for her comeback. Her latest update does confirm that she is recovering well, taking the advice to rest seriously, and looking forward to returning when she is ready.