Ayra Starr
Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr made history on Sunday, October 11, 2026, when she took the halftime stage at the NFL London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Mavin Records singer became the first African artiste to headline the halftime show at an NFL international game, and she used the moment to put her new music and her biggest hits in front of a huge global audience.
A Short, Hit-Packed Set in London
Ayra Starr kept the energy high from start to finish. According to a report by NotJustOk, she opened with “Heaven Baby”, her romantic collaboration with ZAYN.
She then moved into “Rush”, the breakout song that first carried her name around the world. From there, she ran through a medley of “Hot Body” and “Ms. Paper”, before closing with a second medley of “Santa” and “Dangerous”.
The mix of fresh songs and older favourites gave both longtime fans and first-time listeners in the stadium a clear picture of who she is as an artiste.
The Setlist at a Glance
- “Heaven Baby” (opener)
- “Rush”
- “Hot Body” and “Ms. Paper” (medley)
- “Santa” and “Dangerous” (medley)
Quick Facts
- Event: 2026 NFL London Game halftime show
- Match: Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
- Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Kick-off: 2:30pm BST
- Headliner: Ayra Starr, the first African artiste to headline an NFL international game halftime show
- Presented by: American Express, as part of a record seven halftime shows across the 2026 NFL International Games
Why This Moment Matters
The NFL is the biggest sports league in the United States, and its international games have become major cultural events. Landing the halftime slot in London puts Ayra Starr on a stage normally reserved for global pop names.
The league says the 2026 season is its most international yet. It has lined up seven halftime shows presented by American Express, held in seven countries across four continents. Earlier this season, the Jonas Brothers performed in Melbourne, while Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio performed in Rio de Janeiro.
For Afrobeats, it is another sign of how far the sound has travelled. Ayra Starr now joins a growing list of African stars, including Davido, Tems, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Rema, who have been booked for major global sporting events.
What Ayra Starr Said Before the Show
When the NFL first announced the booking in late August, Ayra Starr did not hide her excitement. “I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London,” she said in the league’s statement, adding that “London is one of my favorite places in the world.”
She also described the chance to bring her Starrgirl era to the NFL stage as a dream come true.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the game, the 24-year-old said the performance “itself is a message”, and promised fans that “Sunday is gonna be amazing.”
What the NFL Said
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, explained why the league picked her. “The NFL London games are the foundation of everything we have built internationally,” he said, describing Ayra Starr as “a generational talent with a real connection to fans in this market.”
A Big Year for the Starrgirl
The London show caps a busy 2026 for the singer. She released her third studio album, Starrgirl, on August 14 through Mavin Records and Republic Records. The project features collaborations with ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid.
Before the album dropped, she and ZAYN shared the dreamy official video for “Heaven Baby”. You can read our coverage of the Ayra Starr and ZAYN “Heaven Baby” music video here.
She has also been in demand as a featured act. She appears on FOLA’s sophomore album, as revealed when FOLA unveiled the tracklist for ‘9’.
Her Numbers and Awards
According to the NFL, Ayra Starr has racked up more than seven billion streams and one billion YouTube views since her 2021 debut. She is a two-time GRAMMY nominee for Best African Music Performance and a BET Award winner for Best International Act.
She has also performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. The BBC notes that she was the first African woman to win best international act at the MOBO Awards, and the first Nigerian woman to pass one billion YouTube video views.
More Afrobeats on the NFL Stage
Ayra Starr is not the only Nigerian star linked with the NFL this season. Burna Boy has been announced as the halftime headliner for the NFL’s first regular-season game in Paris, at the Stade de France.
Burna Boy has had a busy few days himself, with his role in the much-talked-about GTA VI AfroBank FM radio station getting fans excited.
Fans React
Clips from the performance spread quickly on social media soon after the show, with fan accounts sharing videos of each part of the set. For many Nigerian and African fans, seeing one of their own headline an NFL halftime show in London was a proud moment.
Final Word
From Mavin Records signee to the first African artiste to headline an NFL international halftime show, Ayra Starr’s rise keeps going. Her London set showed she can hold one of the biggest stages in world sport, and it opens the door even wider for other African acts. All eyes are now on where the Starrgirl goes next.
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