The historic matchup at the Stade de France features the New Orleans Saints taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking a major milestone in the National Football League’s global expansion.
The selection brings one of contemporary music’s biggest international acts to the league’s debut regular-season game in France. Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Burna Boy is widely recognized for his distinct blend of reggae, dancehall, and afrofusión melodies. With nine entries on the Billboard Hot 100 to his name—including “Dai Dai,” his collaboration with Shakira for the 2026 FIFA World Cup that topped global Billboard charts and surpassed one billion YouTube views—the Grammy-winning artist is no stranger to massive global platforms.
Stade de France Homecoming and Global Growth
For Burna Boy, the venue carries deep personal and professional significance. France serves as his third-largest streaming market globally, trailing only the United States and the United Kingdom. On April 18, 2025, the singer made history at the very same venue by becoming the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the Stade de France, performing before a sold-out crowd of over 80,000 fans.
“Paris me dio una de las grandes noches de mi carrera, y regresar al Stade de France para un momento como este significa todo para mí,” Burna Boy said in a statement provided to Billboard. “La NFL está trayendo algo a Francia que nunca ha sucedido aquí antes, y poder estar en medio de esto representando la música africana significa que le daré a la gente un espectáculo que no olvidarán.”
League executives emphasized that the choice of performer reflects both local culture and the NFL’s broader international strategy. Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music, and entertainment, noted that the league’s first game in France required an exceptional centerpiece.
“El primer partido de la NFL en Francia merece un espectáculo de medio tiempo que esté a la altura de la ocasión, y no hay artista mejor para esto que Burna Boy,” Tubito said.
An Expanding International Footprint
The fixture is part of a record-breaking international slate for the NFL, which features nine games across various global markets during the season. Alongside Paris, Melbourne, Australia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are hosting regular-season contests for the first time in league history.
Local broadcast arrangements for the Paris showcase include live coverage by France Télévisions and beIN Sports, while L’Équipe will air the event later in the evening on October 25.
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