LONDON, United Kingdom — Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has expressed excitement and gratitude after becoming the first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show during the Philadelphia Eagles’ clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
The 24-year-old singer performed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, October 11, 2026, bringing Afrobeats to an international American football audience.
Reacting after the performance, Starr described the experience as extraordinary and expressed appreciation for the opportunity.
“It was crazy! It was amazing! I feel like that was another person on stage. It was amazing, I’m so grateful. Ate that, yummy!” she said, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Her performance added another milestone to her growing international career and highlighted the increasing presence of African music at major global entertainment events.
Ayra Starr Performs ‘Heaven Baby’, ‘Rush’
Starr opened her halftime set with Heaven Baby, her collaboration with former One Direction singer Zayn Malik.
She followed the opening performance with other songs, including her international hit Rush and Hot Body.
Heaven Baby features on her album Starrgirl, released on August 14, 2026. The song’s official music video premiered on October 5, shortly before her appearance at the NFL event.
The performance formed part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games entertainment programme, which features seven halftime shows across seven countries and four continents.
The league has expanded its international fixtures in recent years, using games outside the United States to reach new audiences and build its global following.
Singer Emphasises African Representation
Ahead of the performance, Starr told BBC Newsbeat that her appearance carried significance beyond personal achievement.
She said artists had a responsibility to represent their cultures and the people who listen to their music.
“At the end of the day, as artists, we speak for the culture and we speak for the people that listen to us,” she said. “And we have to represent any way that seems fit, that they need.”
Her remarks reflected the importance of international platforms in introducing African music to audiences who may be less familiar with the continent’s contemporary music scene.
Afrobeats has expanded its global reach through streaming platforms, international collaborations, festival appearances and performances at major sporting events.
Another Milestone For Nigerian Music
Starr has established herself as one of Nigeria’s prominent contemporary female music stars, earning international recognition through her recordings and live performances.
She has received Grammy nominations in the Best African Music Performance category and has built a substantial global audience through songs such as Rush.
She also became the first African woman to win Best International Act at the MOBO Awards, according to PUNCH.
Her NFL appearance adds to the growing list of Nigerian artists performing at major international sporting events, helping bring African sounds to audiences beyond traditional music markets.
NFL Expands International Entertainment
The London halftime show was one of several musical performances planned around the NFL’s 2026 international fixtures.
The league announced Starr as the headline performer in August, describing her as a major voice in the new generation of global pop music emerging from Africa.
Her performance during the Eagles-Jaguars game offered another opportunity to connect Nigerian music with international sports audiences.
For Starr, the event represents both a personal career achievement and a platform to showcase African culture to a wider global audience.
