Ayra Starr Makes History as First African Artist to Headline NFL International Games Halftime Show
History in the making! Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr lights up Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show in London.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has made history after becoming the first African artist to headline a National Football League (NFL) International Games halftime show, taking African music to a global sporting audience in London on Sunday, October 11, 2026
The Grammy-nominated singer performed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the halftime break of the NFL London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ayra Starr, whose real name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, thrilled the audience with a selection of her hit songs, including Heaven Baby, Santa, Rush, Hot Body and Dangerous. Her performance brought the vibrant sounds of Afrobeats to thousands of fans attending the game and audiences watching around the world.
The performance marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian singer and the wider African music industry, highlighting the growing presence of African artists on major international entertainment platforms.
Ahead of the show, Ayra Starr described the opportunity as more than just a musical performance, emphasizing the importance of representing her culture and the people who support her music.
Ayra Starr makes history at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show.
Her appearance formed part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games programme, which features seven halftime performances across seven countries and four continents as the league expands its international reach.
Since rising to prominence with her self-titled debut EP in 2021 and her breakthrough hit Bloody Samaritan, Ayra Starr has established herself as one of the leading voices in contemporary Afrobeats. Her international success has been strengthened by songs such as Rush and Commas, earning her recognition beyond Nigeria and across the global music scene.
Her historic NFL appearance further demonstrates the growing influence of Nigerian music and Afrobeats, as African musicians continue to reach new audiences through major international stages.
For Ayra Starr, the London performance was another defining moment in her career, reinforcing her position as a representative of a new generation of African artists taking their music to the world.
