Ayra Starr will headline the halftime show at the NFL’s London Game on October 11, bringing Afrobeats to one of American football’s biggest international stages.
The Nigerian singer will perform when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The game is part of the NFL’s London Series presented by American Express and is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans to the stadium, alongside millions watching worldwide.
Announcing the performance, Ayra Starr said she’s excited to return to London and bring her music to the NFL’s global audience.
“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London,” she said. “London is one of my favourite 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!”
The performance will mark another major international appearance for the 24-year-old singer, whose music has continued to reach audiences beyond Nigeria and Africa.
Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, said Ayra Starr was selected because of her connection with audiences in London and African music’s growing cultural influence in the city.
“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,” Tubito said. “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 artiste to carry that momentum forward.”
The announcement comes less than two months after the release of Starrgirl, Ayra Starr’s third studio album, which arrived on August 14.
The 16-track project features collaborations with Wizkid, Rema, ZAYN and Leon Thomas, with songs including “Gimme Dat,” “Heaven Baby” and “Pressure.”
With the NFL London Game set for October 11, fans can expect Ayra Starr to bring songs from her growing catalogue, including recent releases from Starrgirl, to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stage.
