Nigerian music superstar Burna Boy is set to bring Afrobeats to the NFL’s historic first regular-season game in France, headlining the halftime show at Stade de France on October 25, 2026.
The National Football League has announced that Grammy Award-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy will headline the halftime performance during the 2026 NFL Paris Game, adding one of Africa’s biggest musical stars to one of the league’s most anticipated international events.
The game will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers against the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CEST on Sunday, October 25. It will mark the first regular-season NFL game ever played in France.
Burna Boy Returns to Stade de France
The announcement carries additional significance for Burna Boy because this will not be his first major appearance at Stade de France.
In April 2025, the Nigerian superstar became the first African artist to headline a concert at the stadium, making his return for the NFL Paris Game another major chapter in his relationship with the French capital.
Reflecting on the announcement, Burna Boy said that Paris had given him one of the biggest nights of his career and that returning to the stadium for such a historic occasion means a great deal to him.
He also emphasized the opportunity to represent African music on a global stage as the NFL makes its first regular-season appearance in France.
A Historic NFL Game for France
The 2026 NFL Paris Game is more than a football matchup. It represents the league’s expansion into another major international market.
The NFL has previously staged regular-season games in cities including London, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dublin, São Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto. Paris becomes one of the newest additions to the league’s international schedule in 2026.
The Steelers-Saints matchup at Stade de France is therefore expected to attract attention from both American football fans and French sports audiences.
With Burna Boy leading the halftime entertainment, the event will also bring together American football and contemporary African music in front of an international audience.
Afrobeats Meets American Football
Burna Boy has become one of the most recognizable African artists worldwide, with a sound that incorporates Afrobeats, hip-hop, reggae, R&B and other influences.
His international success has helped bring African music to increasingly large audiences around the world, making his selection for the Paris halftime show particularly notable.
For the NFL, the performance also fits into a broader effort to make its international games major cultural events rather than simply football matches.
NFL senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment Tim Tubito said the first NFL game in France deserved a halftime performance suited to the occasion and pointed to Burna Boy’s history at Stade de France and the popularity of African music in Paris.
Part of the NFL’s Biggest International Season
Burna Boy’s performance will be one of seven halftime shows scheduled across the NFL’s 2026 International Games, spanning seven countries and four continents.
The international entertainment lineup includes:
*Jonas Brothers — Melbourne
*Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin — Rio de Janeiro
*Ayra Starr — London
*Burna Boy — Paris
*Cage the Elephant — Munich
*The Warning — Mexico City
The lineup reflects the NFL’s increasing use of major musical performances to accompany its international games.
When and Where Is the NFL Paris Game?
The historic matchup will take place at:
Event: 2026 NFL Paris Game
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CEST / 9:30 a.m. ET
Halftime performer: Burna Boy
The game is being presented by American Express and is being staged in partnership with GL events, with support from the French Ministry of Sports.
How to Watch Burna Boy’s Halftime Show
For audiences in France, Burna Boy’s full halftime performance will be broadcast live free-to-air on France Télévisions, as well as on beIN Sports. L’Équipe will broadcast the game later that evening.
Fans can also follow official updates about the Paris game through the NFL’s international channels.
A Major Moment for African Music
Burna Boy’s NFL Paris appearance represents another high-profile international stage for African music.
From Lagos to London, Paris and beyond, African artists have increasingly become central figures in global popular culture. Burna Boy’s return to Stade de France places that growing international influence at the center of one of the NFL’s biggest international events of 2026.
On October 25, the lights at Stade de France will turn toward both football and music as the Steelers and Saints take the field — and Burna Boy takes the stage for what promises to be a major moment in the NFL’s international expansion.
Paris is ready for the NFL. And Burna Boy is bringing Afrobeats to halftime!
