Nigerian Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy has been announced as the headline performer for the halftime show at the NFL’s first regular-season game in France.
Nigerian music star Burna Boy is set to headline the halftime show at the 2026 NFL Paris Game, marking another major international stage for the Grammy Award-winning artist.
The NFL announced on Thursday that Burna Boy will perform during the halftime break when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France in Paris on October 25, 2026. The game will be the NFL’s first regular-season fixture in France.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. Central European Summer Time (9:30 a.m. ET), with Burna Boy taking the stage during the halftime interval.
Burna Boy Returns to Stade de France
The announcement gives Burna Boy another opportunity to perform at one of France's most prominent sporting and entertainment venues.
In April 2025, Burna Boy became the first African artist to headline a solo concert at Stade de France, making his return to the stadium for the NFL event another significant moment in his international career.
The singer said returning to Paris for an NFL event carries personal significance after his previous performance at the stadium.
“Paris gave me one of the biggest nights of my career,” Burna Boy said in a statement released by the NFL. He added that the event would allow him to represent African music on a new platform.
Burna Boy's selection also reflects the growing international profile of Afrobeats and other African music genres, particularly in major global entertainment markets.
First NFL Regular-Season Game in France
The Paris matchup between the Steelers and Saints is historic for the NFL because it represents the league's first regular-season game in France.
The NFL has increasingly expanded its regular-season schedule beyond the United States, with games previously staged in cities including London, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, São Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto.
France is among the new international markets being introduced during the 2026 season, alongside Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro.
The Paris game is therefore being positioned as both a sporting event and a major entertainment occasion, with the halftime performance forming part of the league's wider international presentation.
NFL senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment Tim Tubito said Burna Boy's previous history at the stadium and the popularity of African music in Paris were factors behind the decision to select him.
“The first NFL game in France deserves a halftime moment that matches the occasion,” Tubito said.
Seven International Halftime Shows
Burna Boy's performance is part of a record seven halftime shows planned across the NFL's 2026 International Games.
The league has announced a range of international artists for games in different countries.
Ayra Starr, another Nigerian music star, is scheduled to headline the halftime show at the NFL's London Game on October 11, while Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio are set to perform at the Rio de Janeiro game on September 27.
The international lineup also includes the Jonas Brothers in Melbourne, Cage The Elephant in Munich and The Warning in Mexico City.
The performances are part of an expanded international NFL programme covering seven countries and four continents.
Another Major International Milestone for Burna Boy
Burna Boy's NFL appearance adds to a growing list of major international sporting events where the Nigerian artist has performed.
He previously appeared at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show in Istanbul in 2023 and performed at the NBA All-Star Game that same year.
His growing presence at major sporting events has placed African music in front of audiences that extend beyond traditional music platforms.
Burna Boy won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for Twice As Tall, released in 2020. The album helped further establish his international profile and contributed to his emergence as one of Nigeria's most prominent global music exports.
His music incorporates elements of Afrobeats, hip-hop, reggae, R&B and other influences, contributing to the sound that has helped him build audiences across different regions.
Burna Boy and the Global Growth of Afrobeats
The NFL announcement comes during a period when Nigerian artists continue to receive prominent international platforms.
Burna Boy's Paris appearance will take place only weeks before another Nigerian artist, Ayra Starr, is scheduled to headline the halftime show at the NFL London Game.
That means Nigerian music will have a significant presence across two of the NFL's major European international fixtures during the 2026 season.
For Burna Boy, the Paris performance also provides an opportunity to return to a venue where he already made history.
The NFL has said the full halftime performance will be broadcast live in France on France Télévisions and beIN Sports, while L'Équipe will broadcast the game later that evening.
Details about Burna Boy's setlist or any additional performers for the Paris halftime show have not yet been announced.
A Major Moment for Nigeria
Burna Boy's selection places a Nigerian artist at the centre of the entertainment programme for a landmark NFL event.
The NFL is using its international games not only to introduce American football to new audiences but also to connect those events with artists who have strong cultural ties to the host markets.
In Paris, the choice of Burna Boy creates a connection between the league's expansion into France and the growing international audience for African music.
The singer's return to Stade de France also gives the performance an additional layer of significance because of his previous achievement at the venue.
When the Steelers and Saints meet on October 25, Burna Boy will therefore be performing during more than just another NFL game. The event will mark the league's first regular-season game in France and provide another international stage for one of Nigeria's most recognisable musical exports.
For Nigerian and African music fans, the halftime performance will be another opportunity to see Afrobeats represented at one of the world's biggest sporting entertainment platforms.
