Ayra Starr brought Afrobeats to the NFL International Games Halftime Show in London on October 11, 2026, delivering a performance featuring some of her best-known songs and tracks from her latest album, Starrgirl.
The Nigerian singer took the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of a reported 61,322 attendees, marking a major moment in her growing international career. Her set moved between emotional melodies, soulful vocals and upbeat tracks, showcasing different sides of her music.
Starr opened with “Heaven Baby,” her fan-favourite song featuring Zayn Malik, setting an emotional tone for the performance. She followed it with “Rush,” the hit that earned her a Grammy nomination and helped expand her international profile.
The singer then turned to her latest album, Starrgirl, performing “Dangerous,” “Hot Body” and “Ms Paper” to close out her set.
The performance placed Ayra Starr at the intersection of two major cultural forces: the global reach of the NFL and the growing international audience for African music. Her appearance also gave the Nigerian star a prominent platform in London, a city that regularly hosts the league’s international games.
According to the supplied report, Starr became the first African artist to headline an NFL International Games Halftime Show. The milestone adds another notable chapter to a career that gained momentum following the release of her self-titled debut EP, Ayra Starr, in 2021.
Since then, she has continued to build her presence through music releases and international performances. Her appearance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium further highlights the opportunities opening up for African artists on major global entertainment stages.
The choice of songs also gave the performance a clear progression, moving from the emotional opening of “Heaven Baby” to the familiar energy of “Rush” before showcasing newer material from Starrgirl.
For viewers who missed the live show, the full performance is available in the video shared with the original report.
Ayra Starr’s London appearance was more than a set of songs between the action on the field. It was another international showcase for an artist whose career has continued to reach audiences well beyond Nigeria.