Kamasi Washington Performs U.S. Anthem at NFL Season Opener in São Paulo

Lead Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington delivered a stirring rendition of the U.S. national anthem ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers season opener at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo on September 5, 2025.

Nut Graf In what marked the NFL’s first regular-season game in the Southern Hemisphere, Washington’s performance exemplified the league’s strategy to blend American football with global cultural highlights and expand its international footprint.

Pre-Game Entertainment Highlights

  • U.S. National Anthem: Kamasi Washington, known for genre-bending albums such as The Epic and Heaven and Earth, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” to an enthusiastic international crowd.
  • Brazilian National Anthem: Country-pop star Ana Castela performed the Brazilian anthem, setting a local tone for the historic contest.
  • Halftime Show: Colombian superstar Karol G headlined the halftime entertainment, underscoring the NFL’s fusion of sport and music.

Broadcast and Global Reach

  • Streaming Platforms: The game was available live and free on YouTube through the NFL’s exclusive streaming deal, with additional coverage on NFL+.
  • U.S. Television: NBC carried the broadcast domestically, while radio listeners tuned in on stations across Southern California.

Significance of the Event

The Chiefs vs. Chargers matchup in São Paulo represents the NFL’s commitment to international expansion, using marquee performances to engage new audiences and celebrate cultural exchange. Washington’s national-anthem rendition, blending jazz artistry with patriotic fervor, symbolized this fusion as football enters new markets.