Burna Boy
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy took over the Stade de France on Sunday, October 25, 2026, headlining the halftime show at the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in France. The Grammy winner performed in front of a packed stadium in Saint-Denis, just outside Paris, as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New Orleans Saints 16-10.
For Burna Boy, the show was more than another big booking. It was a return to the same stadium where he made history in April 2025, and a fresh reminder of how far Afrobeats has travelled on the world stage.
Watch the Video
The NFL shared a clip from the day on Instagram:
A Historic Night for the NFL in France
The game between the Steelers and the Saints was the NFL’s first regular-season fixture ever played in France. Kickoff was at 2:30pm local time (1:30pm in Accra and 2:30pm in Lagos).
An announced crowd of 78,488 fans filled the Stade de France for the game, and the NFL picked Burna Boy to provide the big musical moment at halftime.
The game went ahead peacefully. It came a day after large protests across France over the rising cost of living, which led to some fan events in central Paris being cancelled over the weekend. The stadium in Saint-Denis was away from the protest routes.
What Burna Boy Performed
Halftime shows at international NFL games are short, usually only a few minutes long, so the Afrobeats star had to make every second count.
US outlet Bolavip reported that he opened with “4 Kampe II,” his 2025 collaboration with French-Haitian artist Joe Dwet File. The song mixes Afrobeats with kompa and dancehall, and Burna Boy sings in English, French and Haitian Creole, which made it a smart choice for a French crowd.
Pulse Sports reported that he also performed some of his biggest hits, including “Ye,” “On The Low” and “Last Last.”
French singer Yseult had announced earlier in the week that she would join the show. On Instagram, she called herself the “First French female artist to perform at an NFL halftime show.” A report after the game said she performed alongside Burna Boy during the brief halftime set.
Burna Boy Meets Paul Pogba
The day also produced a viral moment off the stage. According to Pulse Sports, former Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba, who was at the game, met Burna Boy after the set. Clips of the two sharing a warm hug and a chat spread online, and the NFL highlighted the moment on its pages.
A Return to the Stadium Where He Made History
Burna Boy already has a special history with the Stade de France. In April 2025, he became the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the stadium, one of the biggest venues in Europe.
When the NFL announced him as the headliner in September, the singer looked back on that night. “Paris gave me one of the biggest nights of my career,” he said, adding, “I intend to give the people a show they will not forget.”
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, said the first NFL game in France “deserves a halftime moment that matches the occasion,” and noted that “Burna Boy has already made history in this stadium.”
Quick Facts
- Event: 2026 NFL Paris Game halftime show
- Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France
- Game: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, New Orleans Saints 10
- Attendance: 78,488 (announced)
- Songs reported: “4 Kampe II,” “Ye,” “On The Low,” “Last Last”
- Broadcast in France: France Télévisions and beIN Sports
Nigeria’s Big Year at NFL International Games
Burna Boy’s show is part of a record seven halftime performances that the NFL planned for its 2026 International Games, across seven countries on four continents.
He is not the only Nigerian star on that list. Two weeks earlier, on October 11, Ayra Starr headlined the halftime show at the NFL London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Other acts named for the 2026 international shows include the Jonas Brothers in Melbourne, Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin in Rio de Janeiro, Cage The Elephant in Munich, and The Warning in Mexico City.
The Game Itself
On the field, the Steelers won 16-10. Pulse Sports noted that the win was Pittsburgh’s third in a row and took them to a 5-2 record for the season.
A Busy Season for the African Giant
The NFL show adds to a long list of big global stages for Burna Boy. Over the years, he has performed at the Grammys, the UEFA Champions League final and the NBA All-Star Game, and Pulse Sports noted he also appeared at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His touring calendar is still full. The singer is set to headline Rolling Loud India 2026 in Mumbai on December 12, which will be his first show in India.
Final Word
Burna Boy promised Paris a show it would not forget, and he brought Afrobeats back to the Stade de France on one of the biggest nights in the NFL’s history outside America. With Ayra Starr in London and Burna Boy in Paris, it has been a proud October for Nigerian music on the global sports stage.
Also Read on Halmblog
- Ayra Starr Makes History as First African Artiste to Headline NFL London Halftime Show
- Burna Boy to Headline Rolling Loud India 2026 in Mumbai Alongside Metro Boomin, Makes India Debut on December 12
- Olamide to Headline London’s O2 Arena on March 25, 2027, Becomes Sixth Nigerian Artist to Do So
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