Burna Boy to Headline NFL's First Paris Game Halftime Show

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy will headline the halftime show when the New Orleans Saints face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL's first regular-season game in France at the Stade de France on October 25, the league has announced.

The historic fixture is part of the NFL's expanding international schedule, with Paris one of three cities set to host its first regular-season game this season, alongside Melbourne in Australia and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The Saints-Steelers clash is one of a record nine international games scheduled by the NFL during the 2026 season as the league continues its aggressive push to expand its global reach.

For Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, the performance marks a triumphant return to a venue that has already hosted one of the most significant moments of his career. In April 2025, he made history as the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the Stade de France, performing before a sold-out crowd of more than 80,000 fans. Less than 18 months later, he will walk back into the iconic stadium, this time as the headline act for an American football game that is itself making history.

"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 in a statement. "The NFL is bringing something to France that has never happened here before, and I get to stand in the middle of it representing African music, and I intend to give the people a show they will not forget."

The Grammy Award winner, who took home Best Global Music Album for *Twice As Tall* in 2021, has become one of the most recognizable African artists on the global stage. His selection for the halftime show reflects both his immense popularity and the NFL's strategic intent to connect with diverse audiences as it ventures into new markets. NFL senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, Tim Tubito, said Burna Boy was chosen because of the significance of the occasion and his deep connection with Paris. "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.

The Saints and Steelers will make history as the first NFL teams to play a regular-season game in France, with Burna Boy's performance adding a distinctly African music presence to the league's Paris debut. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CEST (9:30 a.m. ET) kickoff, with tickets having gone on sale earlier this year.

Burna Boy's journey to this moment has been one of relentless ascent. From his early days in Port Harcourt to becoming a global ambassador for Afrobeats, he has consistently broken barriers and redefined what is possible for African artists. His sold-out Stade de France concert in 2025 was a landmark moment for African music, proving that the continent's artists could fill the world's biggest venues. Now, he returns to the same stage, this time as part of an event that will be broadcast to millions of viewers across the United States and around the world.

The NFL's decision to tap Burna Boy for its Paris debut is a recognition of both his artistic merit and the growing influence of African music on the global stage. As the league seeks to build its fanbase in Europe and beyond, partnering with an artist of Burna Boy's caliber represents a savvy cultural bridge. His performance will introduce American football to a new audience while simultaneously showcasing the vibrancy of African music to NFL fans who may be hearing it for the first time.

For Nigerian music lovers, the announcement is a source of immense pride. Burna Boy's continued success on the world stage reflects the broader global ascendancy of Afrobeats, a genre that has evolved from a regional sound into a worldwide phenomenon. His appearance at an NFL game in Paris is yet another milestone in that journey, a testament to the genre's enduring appeal and the relentless ambition of its leading artists.

As October 25 approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a spectacular event. The Stade de France, which will host the NFL for the first time, will be filled with fans eager to witness both a historic football game and a halftime show that is sure to be remembered. For Burna Boy, it is another opportunity to fly the flag for African music on one of the world's biggest stages, and he has made it clear that he intends to seize the moment with both hands.