Burna Boy brought Nigerian music to the centre of an international sporting occasion on October 25, 2026, as the NFL staged its first regular season game in France. The Paris event brought together American football, live music and some of the biggest names in French sport, creating an atmosphere that extended beyond the contest on the field.
The Nigerian singer’s appearance at the Stade de France attracted attention for several reasons, from the songs featured in his performance to his meeting with former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. French singer Yseult also joined him on stage, while Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner, rugby star Antoine Dupont and handball legend Nikola Karabatic were among the prominent sporting personalities associated with the occasion.
The game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints provided the backdrop for the gathering, with Pittsburgh eventually securing a 16 to 10 victory. Yet the day’s entertainment and celebrity appearances gave the historic fixture another dimension, placing Burna Boy at the heart of an event that connected music lovers with fans of different sporting disciplines.
How Burna Boy Secured the NFL Paris Halftime Show
The NFL announced Burna Boy as the headline performer on September 17, 2026, ahead of its historic Paris fixture. His selection brought one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised musicians into the spotlight as the American football league continued expanding its presence beyond the United States.
The Paris game represented an opportunity for the NFL to reach audiences in a country where football and rugby already command considerable attention. Bringing an internationally established music star into the programme also gave the occasion an entertainment appeal beyond the teams competing for victory.
Burna Boy had an existing connection with the Stade de France, having headlined a solo concert at the stadium in April 2025. The show marked a significant moment in his career, with the singer becoming the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the venue.
His return in October 2026 placed him at the same stadium for a different kind of international occasion. Rather than performing at a standalone concert, he was part of a sporting event involving an American audience favourite, French sporting personalities and a live entertainment programme designed for the Paris crowd.
The appearance also added to his growing association with major international sporting events, following his performance at the NBA All Star Game in 2023 alongside fellow Nigerian artists Tems and Rema.
Burna Boy’s Songs at the NFL Paris Game
Burna Boy’s halftime performance featured songs from different stages of his music career, giving the Paris audience an opportunity to hear some of his recognisable records during the break in the game.
Reports identified 4 Kampe II, Ye, On the Low and Last Last among the songs performed. These tracks represent different aspects of his catalogue, ranging from music influenced by international sounds to records that helped establish his presence across global music markets.
The reported opening song was 4 Kampe II, a collaboration with French Haitian singer Joé Dwèt Filé. Its reported inclusion was particularly relevant to the Paris setting because the song draws on musical influences associated with Haitian kompa, bringing another Caribbean element into a performance led by a Nigerian Afrobeats star.
Ye was another notable selection. Released in 2018, the song became one of Burna Boy’s defining records and helped introduce his music to a wider international audience. Its continued recognition has made it a familiar part of his catalogue, particularly among listeners who followed his rise before his later international successes.
On the Low, released in 2018 as part of his African Giant era, was also identified among the songs performed. The record helped strengthen his standing within Afrobeats, combining a melodic approach with the sound that became closely associated with his music during that period.
Last Last, released in 2022, was another song linked to the performance. The track became one of his major international hits and reached audiences well beyond Nigeria, making it a recognisable choice for an event involving a diverse crowd.
The selections reflected different periods of Burna Boy’s career, bringing together established hits and newer material for the international sporting audience.
French Singer Yseult Joins Burna Boy on Stage
One of the notable moments during the halftime show was the appearance of French singer Yseult, who joined Burna Boy on stage. Her participation brought a local musical presence into a performance headlined by a Nigerian artist at a major event in Paris.
Yseult has established herself within France’s contemporary music scene through her work as a singer and songwriter, with a style influenced by pop and soul. Her appearance added another dimension to a show that connected Afrobeats with the music culture of the host country.
The collaboration also reflected the international character of the occasion. Burna Boy arrived with a catalogue shaped by Nigerian and wider African musical influences, while Yseult represented a prominent voice in French music.
Their joint appearance gave the halftime programme a connection to the audience beyond the sporting contest itself. For a league staging its first regular season game in France, the participation of a French singer alongside an international headliner helped link the entertainment programme to the location.
The performance also fitted into Burna Boy’s wider career, which has increasingly involved collaborations, international stages and appearances before audiences drawn from different cultural backgrounds.
Burna Boy Meets Paul Pogba at the Stade de France
Burna Boy’s meeting with Paul Pogba became another talking point surrounding the NFL Paris Game. The French footballer attended the event and was photographed on the field before kickoff, placing him among the high profile personalities present for the historic fixture.
Footage circulated after the halftime performance showing Burna Boy and Pogba greeting each other warmly and exchanging a few words. Their interaction brought together 2 internationally recognised figures whose careers have taken them into different areas of global entertainment.
Pogba built his reputation through professional football, including his time at Manchester United and Juventus. His career also includes his contribution to France’s national team, which won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Burna Boy, meanwhile, has developed an international music career through Afrobeats and Afrofusion, earning recognition for his recordings and live performances. His Grammy win for Best Global Music Album in 2021 further strengthened his position within the international music industry.
Their meeting at the Stade de France offered a moment of crossover between football and music, 2 industries that frequently share audiences through celebrity appearances, promotional events and major international occasions.
Pogba’s presence was also significant within the French setting, where football remains one of the country’s most followed sports. His appearance alongside other prominent athletes helped broaden the public profile of an event built around American football.
Teddy Riner’s Appearance Draws Attention
Teddy Riner was among the French sporting figures associated with the Paris game. The judoka is one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of his sport, having won multiple Olympic gold medals and established an outstanding record in international judo.
Riner’s appearance connected the NFL event with a sporting figure whose achievements are widely recognised in France. His success at the Olympic Games and other international competitions has made him a major personality in French sport.
The NFL fixture provided an opportunity to bring together sporting figures from disciplines with different audiences. Riner’s involvement reflected the wider appeal of the occasion, which extended beyond the teams competing on the field.
His presence also helped give the event a recognisable French sporting identity. With the NFL entering the French market through a regular season game, the participation of established local sports personalities provided a connection to audiences already familiar with their achievements.
Antoine Dupont Takes Part in the Sporting Celebration
Antoine Dupont, one of France’s leading rugby union players, was another prominent sporting figure associated with the NFL Paris Game. Known for his achievements with the French national rugby team and his club career, Dupont has become one of the most recognisable names in the sport.
Dupont and Riner were seen together near the field, posing with an American football decorated with French colours. Their appearance offered a visual connection between the NFL’s game and the sporting culture of its French host.
The 2 athletes represent different disciplines, yet both have achieved international recognition through their performances. Their participation highlighted the effort to introduce American football to audiences who already follow established sports such as rugby, football, judo and handball.
The pregame activities also formed part of the wider programme surrounding the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. Bringing prominent French athletes into the occasion helped give the game a local connection while preserving its identity as an NFL regular season fixture.
Nikola Karabatic Adds a Handball Connection
Nikola Karabatic was another prominent sporting personality reported at the event. The French handball star enjoyed a celebrated career with the national team, winning major international titles and becoming one of the most respected players in the sport.
Karabatic’s achievements include Olympic gold medals and multiple world and European championship titles with France. His career helped establish him as one of the leading figures in international handball, a sport with a substantial following in the country.
His presence added another sporting discipline to the gathering at the Stade de France. While Riner represented judo and Dupont represented rugby, Karabatic brought the profile of French handball into an event centred on American football.
The collection of sporting personalities illustrated the range of interests surrounding the Paris fixture. The event attracted attention from audiences beyond American football, particularly because of the combination of internationally recognised athletes and a major music performance.
Prince Albert II of Monaco Among the Notable Guests
Prince Albert II of Monaco was also reported among the prominent personalities in attendance at the Paris game. His appearance added a royal presence to an event that brought together musicians, athletes and other high profile guests.
The Prince of Monaco has longstanding connections with international sporting events and public life. His reported attendance placed him among the notable figures linked to the occasion, alongside Pogba and several leading French athletes.
The gathering reflected the social dimension of major international sporting fixtures, where the match itself forms only part of the wider event. Celebrity appearances, pregame ceremonies and halftime entertainment can all contribute to the public attention surrounding a game.
For the NFL, the Paris fixture represented a chance to establish a presence in another European market. The attendance of prominent figures from France and neighbouring Monaco helped give the occasion an international profile beyond the competing teams.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defeat New Orleans Saints 16 to 10
The sporting contest remained the central event at the Stade de France, with the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The matchup formed part of the NFL’s Week 7 schedule and marked the league’s first regular season game in France.
Pittsburgh emerged victorious, defeating New Orleans 16 to 10. The result gave the Steelers a third consecutive win, adding a competitive storyline to a day already attracting attention for its entertainment programme and high profile guests.
The fixture brought the NFL’s familiar game day format to a French stadium, with team entrances, pregame activities and halftime entertainment forming part of the experience. The presence of local sporting personalities also helped connect the American game with the host country’s sporting culture.
Burna Boy’s performance took place during the halftime break, providing the musical centrepiece between the 2 teams’ efforts on the field. His appearance alongside Yseult gave the occasion an entertainment element that complemented the significance of the game.
Reviews of Burna Boy’s Halftime Performance
Coverage of Burna Boy’s appearance included positive descriptions of his song selection and the energy surrounding the performance. His presence at the Stade de France attracted attention because of his international profile and his previous concert at the venue.
The French publication Le Parisien, however, offered a more critical assessment of the show, describing the production as relatively minimal and raising concerns about sound problems during the performance.
The reported criticism added another perspective to the coverage of the halftime appearance. While the event provided Burna Boy with a prominent platform at a historic NFL fixture, the execution of the performance also became part of the discussion surrounding the show.
A complete official setlist and verified worldwide viewing figures were not available in the material reviewed, making it difficult to establish the full reach of the performance or draw conclusions about the response of every audience.
What remained clear was the significance of the setting, with one of Nigeria’s leading musicians performing at the NFL’s first regular season game in France, alongside a French singer and before an audience that included prominent sporting figures.
Burna Boy’s Previous Appearances at Major Sporting Events
The Paris performance added to Burna Boy’s growing association with major sporting occasions. One of his earlier appearances came at the NBA All Star Game in 2023, where he performed alongside fellow Nigerian artists Tems and Rema.
That appearance brought 3 Nigerian music stars into a major basketball event watched by audiences across different countries. It also demonstrated the growing visibility of Afrobeats at international sporting occasions, where music performances have become an important part of the entertainment programme.
His April 2025 concert at the Stade de France marked another major career moment. Becoming the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the stadium gave him a connection to the venue that continued with his NFL appearance in October 2026.
The 2 events differed in purpose, with the 2025 concert focused on his music and the 2026 appearance forming part of a major American football fixture. Together, they placed Burna Boy at the centre of 2 significant occasions at one of France’s best known venues.
His NFL performance also reflected the wider international reach of Nigerian music, as artists from the country continue to appear at events that attract audiences outside traditional concert settings.
Full List of Major Personalities at the NFL Paris Game
The October 25, 2026, event brought together musicians, footballers, Olympic champions and other prominent figures. The names reported in connection with the game included:
Burna Boy: The Nigerian singer who headlined the halftime show, performing songs from his catalogue at the Stade de France.
Yseult: The French singer who joined Burna Boy on stage, bringing a local musical presence to the entertainment programme.
Paul Pogba: The French footballer and former Manchester United midfielder who attended the game and was later seen greeting Burna Boy.
Teddy Riner: The French judoka and multiple Olympic gold medallist whose appearance connected the event with one of the country’s most accomplished athletes.
Antoine Dupont: The French rugby union star who was associated with the pregame activities alongside Riner.
Nikola Karabatic: The celebrated French handball player whose career includes major international titles with the national team.
Prince Albert II of Monaco: The Monaco head of state who was reported among the notable guests at the event.
The presence of these personalities gave the NFL Paris Game a profile that extended beyond American football. Their appearances, combined with the halftime performance, helped make the fixture a gathering point for entertainment and sporting figures from different backgrounds.
Why Burna Boy’s NFL Paris Performance trended
Burna Boy’s appearance on October 25, 2026, placed Nigerian music at the centre of a historic moment for the NFL in France. The performance brought Afrobeats to the halftime programme of the league’s first regular season game in the country, connecting a Nigerian headliner with a major American sporting institution.
His reported song selection included established hits such as Ye, On the Low and Last Last, alongside 4 Kampe II. The appearance of French singer Yseult added another local element, while the meeting with Paul Pogba became one of the notable moments linked to the event.
The sporting personalities associated with the fixture, including Teddy Riner, Antoine Dupont and Nikola Karabatic, further demonstrated the event’s reach across different disciplines. Prince Albert II of Monaco was also reported among the prominent guests.
Pittsburgh’s 16 to 10 victory over New Orleans settled the result on the field, but the day’s wider significance came from the combination of American football, international music and French sporting culture.
For Burna Boy, the Paris appearance added another major international platform to a career that has taken him from Nigerian music stages to prominent venues and sporting events around the world.
