ESPN is turning the Super Bowl into a year-round event. The network announced on Wednesday a sweeping initiative called “Year of the Super Bowl,” a 12-month programming and marketing campaign building toward Super Bowl LXI, which ESPN and ABC will broadcast for the first time on February 14, 2027 from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
“This fan-focused initiative unites our company’s beloved brands with industry-leading storytelling and technology to showcase football’s greatest stories, heroes, and moments like never before,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “Across our platforms, screens, and parks, we’ll build momentum throughout the year toward Super Bowl LXI, a monumental event for sports fans everywhere and for ESPN.”
What’s Included in “Year of the Super Bowl”
The initiative spans programming, content series, and cross-company activations across ESPN, ABC, and the broader Walt Disney Company. Here is what has been announced so far:
The Handoff kicked things off Sunday night immediately after Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. NFL broadcast legend Chris Berman anchored coverage from Levi’s Stadium before passing the baton to Scott Van Pelt, who hosted a 90-minute Super Bowl wrap-up live from SoFi Stadium. The 24-hour programming block continued with appearances by Stephen A. Smith at Disneyland.
“I Scored a Touchdown” is a new weekly series spotlighting 61 players who have scored touchdowns in the Super Bowl throughout its history. The series premiered Sunday with former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree.
“The Biggest Game” podcast, hosted by Jeremy Schaap, debuted this week with its first episode featuring Chris Berman, who has covered 44 consecutive Super Bowls. New episodes will air weekly leading into the NFL Draft in April.
“We’re Going” is a 60-second ad campaign that debuted on Good Morning America, reimagining Disney’s iconic “I’m going to Disney World” marketing tradition with cameos from 60 personalities across the ESPN and Disney universe.
Broadcast Details and Disney Parks Activations
Super Bowl LXI will simulcast on ESPN and ABC, with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck in the broadcast booth. The ManningCast, featuring Peyton and Eli Manning, will air on ESPN2 as an alternate broadcast.
Pitaro specifically mentioned Disney Parks as part of the initiative, signaling that theme park activations will be part of the year-long celebration. Disney Parks and ABC Entertainment are expected to roll out Super Bowl-themed programming and experiences, with additional details to be announced in the coming months.
Andy Tennant, a 30-year ESPN veteran who was named Vice President of Super Bowl Production, is overseeing the effort. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for all of us,” Tennant said. “So many of us didn’t think we’d ever have the opportunity to work on an ESPN Super Bowl.”
ESPN has installed a countdown clock at its Bristol, Connecticut campus as the network prepares for what will be its first Super Bowl broadcast since being founded in 1979. ABC last aired the Super Bowl in 2006.
The announcement comes just days after Disney and its subsidiaries made a major splash during Super Bowl LX with multiple high-profile commercials, including spots for Pixar’s Hoppers and collaborations featuring classic Universal franchises.
Source: ESPN
