Ayra Starr Makes NFL History as First Afrobeats Artist to Headline 2026 London Game Halftime Show

Ayra Starr is taking Afrobeats to yet another global stage — and making history while doing it.

The Nigerian superstar is set to headline the 2026 NFL London Game Halftime Show, becoming the first Afrobeats artist to headline the international NFL showcase. It’s another major moment for a genre that continues to expand far beyond its African roots and command some of the biggest stages in entertainment.

For Ayra, the milestone adds to an already impressive global rise. From international collaborations and chart success to major festival stages and fashion moments, she has continued to position herself as one of the leading voices of the new generation of African music.

Tim Tubito, senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment at the NFL, said London has played an important role in the league’s international growth and highlighted the city’s connection to global music.

“The NFL London games are the foundation of everything we have built internationally, and the halftime show has become one of the biggest moments which makes these events so special,” said Tim Tubito, senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment at the NFL. “London is one of the most influential music cities in the world, and African music has been at the center of that conversation for years now. Ayra Starr is a generational talent with a real connection to fans in this market, and building on the halftime shows we have staged in London in recent seasons, she is the right artist to carry that momentum forward. We look forward to collaborating with her on a performance that captures the energy that matches the moment.”

Afrobeats has spent the past several years becoming an undeniable force in global pop culture, with artists from across the continent reaching audiences that once seemed inaccessible. Now, seeing an Afrobeats star at the center of an NFL halftime production in London is another indication of just how far the sound — and the culture behind it — has traveled.

And Ayra Starr gets to put her name on another piece of that history.

The Prince Report