NFL Unveils Star-Studded Halftime Lineup for 2026 International Games

Seven headline acts across seven countries highlight the league’s expanding global sports and entertainment strategy.

By Channel A TV | October 10, 2026

The National Football League is expanding its global entertainment footprint with a major halftime music lineup for its 2026 International Games, featuring seven headline acts performing across seven countries and four continents.

Presented by American Express, the program brings together internationally recognized performers spanning pop, Latin music, Afrobeats, rock, and other genres. According to the NFL announcement, it is the league’s largest international halftime entertainment program to date.

The 2026 NFL International Games schedule includes nine regular-season games in Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City. The expanded entertainment lineup builds on the six halftime shows staged across five countries in 2025, reflecting the NFL’s continued efforts to connect with fans around the world through the combination of sport and live music.

Seven Headliners, Seven International Destinations

The announced halftime performers and their scheduled appearances include:

• Jonas Brothers — Melbourne, Australia, September 10 (September 11 local time).
• Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 27.
• Ayra Starr — London, United Kingdom, October 11.
• Burna Boy — Paris, France, October 25.
• Manuel Turizo — Madrid, Spain, November 8.
• Cage the Elephant — Munich, Germany, November 15.
• The Warning — Mexico City, Mexico, November 22.

The lineup brings together artists with distinct musical identities and international audiences. Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr and Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy represent the growing global visibility of African music, while Ricky Martin, Pedro Sampaio, and Manuel Turizo bring Latin music influences to the international program.

The Jonas Brothers, Cage the Elephant, and Mexican rock band The Warning add pop and rock diversity to the schedule.

Sport and Music Strengthen the NFL’s Global Reach

The NFL’s international expansion reflects a broader strategy to build lasting connections with audiences beyond the United States. International games offer fans the opportunity to experience American football in their home markets, while live music adds a major entertainment element to the game-day experience.

Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation and entertainment, said the league aimed to select artists suited to each market and create performances that resonate with fans in each host city.

The 2026 schedule also features games in new international markets for the league, including Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris, alongside established destinations such as London, Munich, Madrid, and Mexico City.

A Global Stage for Music and Culture

For the music industry, the international halftime program offers performers access to diverse audiences connected by one of the world’s most recognizable sports leagues. The selection of artists from different musical backgrounds also highlights the increasingly international character of popular music and sports entertainment.

As the NFL continues to expand internationally, its games are becoming more than sporting events. They are also platforms for music, cultural exchange, tourism, and global fan engagement.

Channel A TV will continue to follow major developments at the intersection of sports, music, and international entertainment.

Source: NFL Communications announcement dated October 10, 2026.

#ChannelATV #NFL #NFLInternational #NFL2026 #BurnaBoy #AyraStarr #JonasBrothers #RickyMartin #GlobalEntertainment #SportsAndMusic