Ayra Starr and Burna Boy bring Afrobeats to NFL halftime shows in London and Paris
Ayra Starr made history at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. On Sunday Burna Boy carries Afrobeats into the NFL's first regular-season game in France.
Two of Nigeria's biggest stars have the NFL's European halftimes this autumn. Ayra Starr became the first African artist ever to top the bill at an NFL International Games halftime, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 11 October. This Sunday, 25 October, Burna Boy takes the stage at the Stade de France in Paris, when the Pittsburgh Steelers meet the New Orleans Saints.
Ayra Starr's night in London
The 24-year-old Beninese-Nigerian singer opened with "Heaven Baby", her song with ZAYN from Starrgirl, the third album she released in August. From there she ran through "Rush", the hit that made her name around the world, and "Dangerous", with a medley that took in "Hot Body" and "Ms. Paper".
Complex's reviewer heard a more personal set than a simple run of hits, and she saw the night as bigger than herself.
“I'm doing it for my people, to be honest.”
It caps a fast rise. Since her debut in 2021 she has passed seven billion streams, earned two Grammy nominations for Best African Music Performance and won the BET Award for Best International Act. The game itself went to Jacksonville, 19–17, on a 57-yard field goal in the final seconds, and the next day she announced a Starrgirl world tour.
Burna Boy goes back to the Stade de France
Paris knows Burna Boy well. On 18 April 2025 he became the first African artist to play a solo concert at the Stade de France, and the 80,000 tickets for that night went within days of going on sale.
Paris gave me one of the biggest nights of my career.
Burna Boy, to NFL.com
Photo: Darthvadrouw — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sunday will be another first for the stadium. The NFL has played 62 regular-season games outside the United States, in cities from London and Munich to São Paulo and Mexico City, but never one in France. Tim Tubito, who runs music and entertainment for the league's international games, said no artist was better suited to the occasion.
Seven halftimes on four continents
London and Paris are two stops in the busiest international season the league has run, with a record seven halftime shows in seven countries, all presented by American Express. Among the rest:
- Melbourne, 10 September: Jonas Brothers
- Rio de Janeiro, 27 September: Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio
- Munich, 15 November: Cage The Elephant
- Mexico City, 22 November: The Warning
Frequently asked questions
When is Burna Boy's NFL halftime show?
Sunday 25 October 2026, at halftime of the Pittsburgh Steelers v New Orleans Saints game at the Stade de France, near Paris. Kick-off is 2.30pm in Paris, 9.30am Eastern Time.
How can I watch Burna Boy's halftime show?
In France the halftime show is live and free to air on France Télévisions and beIN Sports. Tickets for the game are sold at nfl.com/paris.
What songs did Ayra Starr perform at the NFL London game?
She opened with "Heaven Baby" and went on to "Rush", "Dangerous" and a medley including "Hot Body" and "Ms. Paper".
Is Ayra Starr the first African to headline an NFL halftime show?
She is the first African artist to headline the halftime show at one of the NFL's International Games, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 11 October 2026.
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