Entertainment
Ayra Starr makes history with NFL London halftime performance
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has made history after headlining the halftime show at an NFL International Game in London.
The Afrobeats star performed during Sunday’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The performance made her the first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show, according to reporting following the event.
The NFL had announced Ayra Starr as the headline performer ahead of the London fixture, describing the appearance as part of a record programme of halftime performances across its 2026 international games. NFL
Ayra Starr performs Rush, Commas in London
Ayra Starr opened her halftime set with “Heaven Baby” before performing songs including “Santa,” “Rush” and “Dangerous.”
She concluded with a medley featuring “Hot Body” and “Ms. Paper.” Vanguard News
Following the show, the singer celebrated the milestone on social media and described herself as the first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show.
The performance gave the Nigerian singer another major global platform as Afrobeats continues to expand its reach across international music, sports and entertainment events.
NFL expands international halftime shows
The London performance forms part of the NFL’s expanded 2026 International Games programme, which includes matches and entertainment events across several countries.
When announcing Ayra Starr’s appearance, the NFL said its international programme would feature seven halftime shows across four continents. NF
Fellow Nigerian superstar Burna Boy is also scheduled to headline the halftime show at the NFL’s first regular-season game in Paris on October 25, when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France. NFL
Ayra Starr, whose full name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, has grown into one of the most internationally recognised artists from Nigeria’s newer generation of Afrobeats stars.
The NFL said ahead of her performance that she had accumulated more than seven billion global streams and one billion YouTube views since her debut in 2021
Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.
She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others
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