Nigerian Afrobeats star, Burna Boy, has been selected to headline the halftime show at the National Football League’s first regular-season game in France.
The Grammy Award-winning artiste will perform when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France in Paris on October 25, 2026.
The game is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CEST, with Burna Boy expected to provide the entertainment during the halftime interval.
Reacting to the announcement, the singer said returning to the Paris venue would be a significant moment in his career.
“Paris gave me one of the biggest nights of my career, and to walk back into Stade de France for a moment like this means everything,” Burna Boy said.
He said the NFL’s debut in France would also provide an opportunity to showcase African music to an international audience.
“I’m proud to represent Africa on this stage, and I can’t wait to give the fans a show they will not forget,” he added.
The performance marks another appearance at the Stade de France for Burna Boy, who made history in April 2025 by becoming the first African artiste to headline a concert at the Paris stadium.
The NFL’s Senior Director of Global Game Presentation, Music and Entertainment, Tim Tubito, said Burna Boy was chosen because of his ability to match the scale of the league’s historic French debut.
“The first NFL game in France deserves a halftime moment that matches the occasion, and there is no artist better suited to it than Burna Boy,” Tubito said.
He highlighted the singer’s previous connection with the stadium and the strong influence of African music in Paris, saying the performance would reflect the excitement surrounding the landmark fixture.
The Paris event is part of the NFL’s 2026 International Games programme, which will feature a record seven halftime performances across seven countries on four continents.
Other performers announced for the international fixtures include Ayra Starr for the London game, Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio for the Rio de Janeiro fixture, Cage The Elephant in Munich and The Warning in Mexico City.
Burna Boy’s complete halftime performance will be broadcast live in France on France Télévisions and beIN Sports.
