Pedro Sampaio has amassed more than 14 billion audio and video streams and over 10 million monthly\u00a0listeners on Spotify, cementing himself as one of Brazil\u2019s most prominent music stars. The most-streamed\u00a0male pop artist in Brazil over the past five years, Sampaio was nominated for a Latin Grammy\u00ae in 2024\u00a0and is known as one of the genre\u2019s most dynamic live performers, blending the energy of Brazilian funk\u00a0with pop and electronic music.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up in Rio de Janeiro, seeing Maracan\u00e3 Stadium as a place where history was made. I never\u00a0imagined that my first time performing on that field would be alongside Ricky Martin, who has always\u00a0been a huge inspiration to me. It’s hard to put into words,\u201d said Pedro Sampaio. \u201cMaracan\u00e3 is part of the\u00a0history of both sports and music, and being part of this moment\u2014especially at the first NFL game in my\u00a0hometown\u2014is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m incredibly happy and grateful to be part of a night that will go down in history.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recognized as one of the most successful and influential Latin artists of all time, Ricky Martin is a global superstar with more than 95 million albums sold worldwide and a career spanning over three decades.<\/p>\n
His hits played a pivotal role in the global expansion of Latin Pop. The many highlights of his career\u00a0include multiple GRAMMY\u00ae and Latin GRAMMY\u00ae Awards, among other numerous accolades, and a\u00a0special guest appearance during the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.<\/p>\n
\u201c2026 has been a year filled with wonderful opportunities, and this is certainly one of them. Being part of\u00a0another historic NFL event alongside Pedro Sampaio is incredibly exciting, especially because it brings\u00a0me back to one of my favorite places in the world: Rio,\u201d said Ricky Martin. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing quite like the\u00a0energy of the Brazilian people, and I can\u2019t wait to reunite with our fans and perform live at the iconic\u00a0Maracan\u00e3. Get ready to move! See you all in September!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe NFL Rio Game is an opportunity to celebrate the energy, creativity and passion that make this city\u00a0unlike anywhere else in the world,\u201d said Tim Tubito, senior director of global game presentation, music\u00a0and entertainment at the NFL. \u201cOver the past year, the NFL has embraced the global power and cultural\u00a0influence of Latin music, and Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin each have a unique connection with fans\u00a0across Brazil, Latin America and beyond. We look forward to a performance that captures the spirit of the\u00a0city and gives fans an unforgettable celebration on game day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin for the halftime show, in what will be the first\u00a0NFL regular season game in Rio de Janeiro,\u201d said Luis Martinez, General Manager of NFL Brazil.<\/p>\n
\u201cPedro has soared to new heights both in Brazil and around the world, and Ricky has been a global sensation for\u00a0many years. It will be an unforgettable celebration with Brazilian fans at the Maracan\u00e3.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin\u2019s full halftime performance will be broadcast live in Brazil on Globo\u2019s\u00a0channels GETV and sportv.<\/p>\n
Limited-edition merchandise celebrating Pedro Sampaio and Ricky Martin\u2019s performances at the 2026\u00a0NFL Rio Game will be available at NFL Shops in Rio.<\/p>\n
The league is committed to growing the game at every level across the country, engaging with fans yearround through partners, programs and initiatives. Further information around the entertainment and fan events surrounding the 2026 NFL Rio Game will follow soon.<\/p>\n
The announcement follows the previously confirmed performance of the Jonas Brothers at the 2026 NFL\u00a0Melbourne Game on Thursday, Sept. 10 (Friday, Sept. 11 in Australia) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.<\/p>\n