Ayra Starr set to make history as first African artist to headline NFL halftime show

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr is poised to make history as the first African artist to headline an NFL international halftime show. The league announced on Thursday that Starr, known for her hit “Heaven Baby,” will perform at the 2026 NFL London Games, scheduled for October 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The NFL made the announcement on its official X account, expressing excitement about Starr’s participation. She will headline the halftime show during the matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Starr joins a roster of prominent Afrobeats artists—including Davido, Tems, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema—who have already been booked for major sporting events, further showcasing the global rise of the genre.