The NFL’s historic arrival in Paris will come with an Afrobeats soundtrack, as Burna Boy takes centre stage for the league’s first regular-season game in France.
The Grammy-winning Nigerian singer has been selected to perform during halftime when the New Orleans Saints battle the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France on October 25, 2026.
The game represents a major milestone for the NFL, which is taking a regular-season fixture to France for the first time. Paris is one of three new international destinations on the league’s 2026 schedule, alongside Melbourne in Australia and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Burna Boy’s involvement adds another layer of significance to the occasion.
The singer already has a history with Stade de France. In April 2025, he became the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the stadium, attracting a crowd of more than 80,000 for the sold-out show.
His return to the venue will now come in a very different setting, with millions of NFL fans expected to follow the historic matchup.
Burna Boy, whose birth name is Damini Ogulu, said returning to the stadium for the NFL event would hold special meaning.
He recalled the impact of his previous performance in Paris and said he was excited to represent African music during an occasion that marks a new chapter for American football in France.
The NFL is staging nine international games during the 2026 season, the highest number in a single campaign, as part of its efforts to grow its global audience.
Tim Tubito, the league’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, said Burna Boy was a natural choice for the halftime performance because of his connection with Paris and his international appeal.
The Nigerian star has also built a strong reputation beyond Africa. In 2021, he won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album for Twice As Tall.
Now, his latest performance will bring together music and sport on a historic night for the NFL.
With the Saints and Steelers preparing to become the first teams to play a regular-season NFL game in France, Burna Boy will be responsible for providing the entertainment when the action pauses at Stade de France.
For the Afrobeats star, it will be another major appearance at a venue where he has already made history.
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