Burna Boy headlines the NFL’s first regular-season game in France, performing at the Stade de France alongside French singer Yseult

Nigerian Afrobeats star Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, headlined the halftime show at the National Football League’s (NFL) first regular-season game in France on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

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The Grammy Award-winning singer performed at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, during the match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints.

His appearance featured French singer Yseult, as the NFL combined American football with live musical entertainment in a bid to expand its international reach.

The performance also marked Burna Boy’s return to the iconic stadium, where he made history in April 2025 by becoming the first African artiste to headline a solo concert at the venue.

That concert attracted 80,000 fans and sold out, further cementing his position as one of Africa’s leading musical exports.

Speaking in an interview with Colleen Wolfe, shared on the official NFL France and NFL Instagram accounts, the singer reflected on the significance of performing at the Stade de France.

Burna Boy described music as a reflection of life, encompassing good and bad days, highs and lows, as well as moments of greatness and difficulty.

He explained that music transcends a person’s background and language, describing himself as a reporter who tells stories through melodies.

“That’s what music is. That’s why I’m not so creative; I’m just like a reporter with melodies and stuff. It doesn’t matter where you’re from,” he said.

The singer added that he sometimes performs in languages other than English because his music seeks to connect with listeners beyond their physical appearance or background.

“I sing to see beyond your physical form; it’s your spirit I sing to,” he said.

Burna Boy’s performance provided another opportunity to showcase African music to an international audience, bringing Nigerian Afrobeats to one of the NFL’s landmark overseas events.

His return to the Stade de France also followed his historic solo concert at the venue in 2025, which drew a capacity crowd.

The NFL’s decision to feature the Nigerian singer alongside French artiste Yseult highlighted the role of live music in its international events, as the league continues to connect American football with audiences across different cultures.

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Burna Boy’s appearance further underlined the growing global visibility of Nigerian music and Afrobeats.