Ayra Starr Set to Make History at NFL London Halftime Performance

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Ayra Starr, whose birth name is Sarah Aderibigbe, is poised to make history as the inaugural major African artist to lead an NFL halftime performance. Her groundbreaking appearance is scheduled for the 2026 NFL London Game on October 11, featuring a clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The National Football League formally unveiled this exciting development in a statement released on Thursday. Ayra Starr herself corroborated the news, sharing an update on her official Instagram page. The highly anticipated game, set for Sunday, October 11, will take place at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Starr's halftime show integrated into the NFL's broader 2026 International Games series.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Ayra Starr remarked, “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!”

According to the NFL, Ayra Starr's London engagement forms part of a series of seven halftime spectacles sponsored by American Express, spanning the league's 2026 International Games. These performances are slated to occur across seven distinct countries and four continents. In related news, it was recently reported that Okoya’s son announced his departure from the music scene, while Ayra Starr’s album ‘Starrgirl’ achieved a notable debut at No. 4 on the Billboard World Albums chart. Furthermore, the complete list of nominations for the 2026 Headies Awards saw prominent Nigerian artists like Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy receiving leading nods.

Tim Tubito, the NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, lauded Ayra Starr as an exceptional talent possessing a significant rapport with London's music enthusiasts. Tubito emphasized, “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.” He further stated that Ayra Starr was “the right artist to carry that momentum forward,” expressing the NFL's anticipation of collaborating with her to deliver a performance befitting the event's electrifying atmosphere.

This upcoming performance signifies a monumental achievement for African music globally, as Ayra Starr solidifies her position as the first major artist from the continent to headline an NFL event. Historically, halftime acts at NFL London games have predominantly featured British and American artists. The 2026 NFL London Game itself is scheduled to commence at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time on October 11, where the Philadelphia Eagles will battle the Jacksonville Jaguars.