By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has made history as the first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show.
The singer performed on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London during the NFL clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Taking the stage at midfield, the ‘sabi girl’ hitmaker delivered a performance that brought Afrobeats to the spotlight at one of American football’s biggest international events.
Her appearance marks another milestone in her growing international career, as African musicians continue to gain recognition on major global stages.
The NFL International Series features regular-season games played outside the United States, bringing American football to audiences across the world.
The setlist included some of her popular songs, such as Rush and Hot Body, as well as Heaven Baby, her collaboration with former One Direction singer Zayn Malik. She also performed a medley of Santa and Dangerous.
The performance was part of a record seven halftime shows planned for the NFL’s 2026 international games, spanning seven countries and four continents.
Since breaking into the music scene in 2021, Ayra Starr has become one of Afrobeats’ most recognisable international stars, earning two Grammy nominations and a BET Award for Best International Act.
Her latest milestone puts Nigerian music in the spotlight at a major sporting event, reaching audiences who might not ordinarily follow Afrobeats.
