Afrobeats singer Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, is set to make history as the first major African artist to headline an NFL halftime show.
The Nigerian singer will perform during the 2026 NFL London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 11.
The National Football League announced the development on Thursday, while Ayra Starr also confirmed the news through a post on her official Instagram page.
The performance will form part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games, which will feature events across seven countries and four continents.
Expressing her excitement about the opportunity, Ayra Starr said London was 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.
“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!” she said.
The NFL revealed that Ayra Starr’s appearance will be one of seven halftime shows presented by American Express during its 2026 International Games.
Prompt News reports Tim Tubito, the league’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, said the singer was an appropriate choice for the London event given the city’s strong connection with African music.
“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.
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He described Ayra Starr as “the right artist to carry that momentum forward”, adding that the NFL was looking forward to collaborating with her to deliver a performance suited to the occasion.
The upcoming appearance represents another major international milestone for Ayra Starr and a significant moment for African music on the NFL stage.
Previous halftime performers at NFL London games have predominantly come from the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars are scheduled to face each other at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on Sunday, October 11, with Ayra Starr taking the stage during the halftime interval.
