The NFL really wants to be popular in the UK and other places in the world. That might be a struggle as the world is a messy place currently, and some people might view an American-centric sport as an iffy buy-in. At least for the first London game of 2025, the music will be good.
The league announced this week that the halftime performer of the showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns will be pop star RAYE. The singer appears to be everywhere currently, and her music is worth it. She can sing, she can move, and she can entertain.
The game will be held on October 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the game and halftime show will be presented by NetApp. Even if you don't like football, watching RAYE do her thing for 10 minutes should be fun.
RAYE announced as the halftime performer at the Minnesota Vikings versus Cleveland Browns game in London
Plus, if you are an American in London for the game and aren't familiar with the musical artist at halftime, just ask an English person and they will likely know. RAYE made BRIT Awards history in 2024 as he song, "Escapism," won six awards. The most for any single ever.
She was also nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy as well as Songwriter of the Year, the first artist to ever do so in the same year. Plus, NFL fans will get to see an artist on the rise. The South London native only has one album to date, My 21st Century Blues, which reached No. 2 in the UK.
Singing the English national anthem will be Pixie Lott. The performer has been around for some time, with her four studio albums to her name. Her debut was in 2009.
The NFL will hold three games in London this season. The Minnesota Vikings versus Cleveland Browns on Sunday, October 5, the Denver Broncos versus New York Jets on Sunday October 12 (also at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), and the Los Angeles Rams versus Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, October 19 at Wembley Stadium.