Nigerian singer Ayra Starr made history Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, becoming the first African artist to headline a halftime show at one of the NFL’s International Games. The 24-year-old Mavin Records star performed for a crowd of 61,322 during the Philadelphia Eagles’ matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, delivering a set built largely around songs from her new album, including “Hot Body,” “Dangerous,” “Ms Paper,” “Santa,” “Rush” and “Heaven Baby.”

The booking was part of the NFL’s expanded 2026 International Games slate, which this season staged halftime performances across seven countries on four continents. Ayra Starr’s turn on that stage extends a run of major global bookings for African artists in recent years, following Davido’s performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Rema at the 2023 Ballon d’Or, Burna Boy at the 2023 UEFA Champions League final kickoff show, Yemi Alade at the 2024 AFCON opening ceremony and Tems at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup halftime show.

Speaking after she came off stage, Ayra Starr said the moment overwhelmed her. “It was amazing. I feel like that was another person on the stage. I’m so grateful,” she said.

The London show capped a milestone week for the singer, who a day earlier announced the 2027 Starrgirl World Tour, a 20-city run across Europe, the United Kingdom and North America in support of her third studio album, “Starrgirl,” released in August. The project debuted at No. 2 on Spotify’s Global Top Albums chart and topped Apple Music’s album charts in 15 countries. The tour opens January 20 in Cologne, Germany, with further European stops in Amsterdam, Paris, Milan, Zurich, Brussels and London, before moving to North America for dates in Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Minneapolis and Denver, closing April 14 at The Fillmore in San Francisco. Ayra Starr also confirmed a special show in Africa ahead of the European leg, with details still to be announced.

Discussing the project that fuels the run, Ayra Starr framed “Starrgirl” as a statement of arrival rather than aspiration. “I’ve been moving from the point of view of I have to be,” she said. “With Starrgirl, it’s just like, I am.”

Tickets for the North American leg go to general sale through Live Nation on October 16, with a presale already running for Verizon Shine members and top Spotify fans; European and UK general sales open the same day, while Mastercard holders in France, Italy and Belgium get presale access starting October 14. VIP packages, available through VIP Nation, include premium seating, a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity, early venue entry and a signed tour poster.

Between the NFL stage and a tour announcement landing in the same week, Ayra Starr’s October has underlined just how far Afrobeats’ newest generation has traveled from Lagos studios to the biggest stages in global sport and music. For an artist barely five years into her recording career, the twin milestones suggest her reach is still expanding.

Sources: YEN.com.gh, The FADER