Ayra Starr Makes History: First Afrobeats Star to Headline NFL Halftime Show!

Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr is set to make history by headlining the halftime show for an NFL London Game this coming fall. This landmark event marks the first time an Afrobeats star has been selected to perform at an NFL International Game Halftime show. Starr's highly anticipated performance will take place during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, October 11, at 2:30 p.m. BST (9:30 a.m. ET) at the iconic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London.

This London performance is part of a record seven halftime shows scheduled across this season’s international matches, all presented by American Express. Fans in the UK will be able to watch Ayra Starr’s halftime performance broadcast free to air on Channel 5 and on Sky Sports. Starr, who recently released her third studio album, "Starrgirl," which landed at No. 4 on Billboard’s World Albums Chart, expressed her excitement for the event. She stated, "I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London. London is one of my favorite places in the world and to bring Starrgirl to the NFL global stage is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to see you guys there!"

Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, emphasized the significance of London's music scene and the rising prominence of African music. Tubito commented, "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."

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host another regular-season NFL game earlier in October, featuring the Indianapolis Colts and the Washington Commanders on October 4. Details for that specific halftime show will be announced at a later date. Ayra Starr joins an impressive roster of artists performing at other upcoming International Games, including the Jonas Brothers, who will perform at the NFL’s match in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10, and Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio, who will perform in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 27. Additional NFL international matches are also slated for Madrid, Spain; Mexico City, Mexico; Munich, Germany; and Paris, France.