Nigerian-Beninese singer Ayra Starr made history on Sunday, October 11, 2026, by becoming the first African artist to headline the halftime show at an international NFL game. She performed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London during the match between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The performance brought Afrobeats to the international sports stage as the NFL continues to connect its games with music from around the world.
Ayra Starr performed several songs from her catalogue, including “Heaven Baby,” “Santa,” “Hot Body,” “Rush” and “Dangerous,” according to published coverage of the show. The set also highlighted music from her third studio album, Starrgirl, released in August 2026.
Before the performance, Ayra Starr told BBC Newsbeat that the historic opportunity carried a message beyond music. She said artists speak for their culture and the people who listen to them, adding that they should use major platforms to represent those communities.
Her appearance marks another step in the international growth of Afrobeats. Ayra Starr has built a global audience with songs such as “Rush” and “Bloody Samaritan” and has earned Grammy nominations for Best African Music Performance.
The halftime show took place during a close game between the Eagles and Jaguars. Jacksonville secured a 19–17 victory after kicker Cam Little scored the winning field goal from 57 yards with one second remaining.
The NFL had announced Ayra Starr’s performance as part of its 2026 International Games programme, which features live music across several countries. The league said the London show would be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Channel 5 and Sky Sports.
For Ayra Starr, the London appearance placed African music in front of an international football audience and added a major moment to her growing global career.
