Burna Boy Headlines NFL’s First Paris Halftime Show With Yseult

Burna Boy took the stage at the Stade de France on Sunday, October 25, as the headliner of the NFL’s first Paris Halftime Show. The Nigerian singer brought Afrobeats to the landmark event, which coincided with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 16–10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in the league’s first regular-season game in France.

A Historic Halftime Debut in Paris

The Grammy-winning artist performed a set built around some of his biggest hits, including “Ye,” “On the Low” and “Last Last.” French singer Yseult joined him onstage for the occasion, adding a local presence to a show that paired Nigerian and French sounds inside one of Europe’s most prominent sporting venues.

The performance placed one of Africa’s most internationally recognized musicians at the center of the NFL’s ongoing effort to expand its global audience. As the league brought American football to Paris, Burna Boy and Yseult delivered a musical showcase that reflected the international character of the event.

Opening With "4 Kampe II"

Burna Boy opened his halftime set with “4 Kampe II,” his collaboration with French-Haitian singer Joe Dwet File, released on March 27, 2025. The track reworks Dwet File’s original “4 Kampe” and incorporates elements of Afrobeats, Haitian kompa, dancehall and Caribbean music.

On the song, Burna Boy moves between English, French and Haitian Creole, reflecting the cross-cultural exchanges behind the collaboration. Its blend of influences provided a fitting introduction to a performance staged for the NFL’s Paris debut.

He followed the opening number with familiar songs from his catalogue, including “Ye,” “On the Low” and “Last Last.” The selections highlighted the records that have helped establish his international following and brought his signature Afrofusion sound to an audience assembled for a landmark NFL fixture.

Yseult Joins Burna Boy Onstage

Yseult opened Burna Boy’s performance by singing “God Save Your Children” for the NFL halftime show in Paris. Known for her powerful vocals and her blend of pop and soul, the French singer brought a complementary sound to the Nigerian artist’s Afrobeats-driven set.

Their shared stage reflected the international character of the occasion, with artists from Nigeria and France performing together during a sporting event that originated in the United States. The pairing also connected the performance to its Paris setting, where French audiences have already welcomed Burna Boy for major live appearances.

The NFL has increasingly used music and entertainment to support its international events, bringing local and global artists into a programme designed to attract audiences beyond its traditional American fan base. The pairing of Burna Boy and Yseult offered a clear example of that approach at the league’s first regular-season game in France.

A Return to the Stade de France After 2025 Milestone

The October 25 appearance marked another milestone for Burna Boy at the Stade de France. In April 2025, he became the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 80,000 people.

That concert represented a major achievement for the Nigerian singer, whose career has helped bring Afrobeats to larger audiences across Europe and other international markets. His return to the venue for the NFL’s Paris game connected that musical milestone with the league’s expansion into a new European market.

Burna Boy’s growing international profile has been supported by major tours, global streaming audiences and collaborations that draw on different musical traditions. His performance in Paris extended that reach to a sporting audience, placing African music within the entertainment programme of one of the NFL’s most significant international fixtures.

The NFL’s first Paris Halftime Show also highlighted the increasing visibility of African artists at major events outside the music industry. Rather than serving as a supporting act, Burna Boy headlined the performance, bringing his established catalogue and international reputation to the occasion.

NFL Expands Its International Reach With Paris Game

The game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints marked the NFL’s first regular-season fixture in France. Pittsburgh secured a 16–10 victory, while the event added Paris to the league’s expanding programme of international games, which has included fixtures in London and Germany.

Staging the matchup at the Stade de France brought American football to a major European sporting venue. The halftime entertainment added another dimension to the event, drawing on artists whose audiences extend across national borders.

Burna Boy’s performance underscored how the NFL can incorporate international music into its overseas events as it seeks to build connections with new audiences. With Yseult joining him onstage, the show also reflected the cultural landscape of the host city.

Although the Steelers left Paris with the victory, Burna Boy’s halftime appearance provided a defining moment in the NFL’s French debut, bringing Afrobeats to a global sporting platform and further expanding the Nigerian singer’s presence on the international stage.