ESPN is set to broadcast its first-ever Super Bowl as part of a "landmark" 2026 NFL season, according to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The upcoming campaign, which the network has branded the "Year of the Super Bowl," will feature the largest NFL game portfolio in the company’s history.
The 2026 slate includes a record-breaking 29 NFL games airing across ESPN and ABC platforms. This expanded coverage follows the company's acquisition of NFL Network media assets, allowing for a broader reach than any previous season. The historic year will culminate with the broadcast of Super Bowl LXI from SoFi Stadium on February 14, 2027, marking the first time the network has produced the championship game.
The 2026 regular season is scheduled for a unique start on Wednesday, September 9, featuring the defending champion Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots. The midweek opener is part of a global expansion that includes the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia, between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, September 10.
Per Adam Schefter, the network's 19-game regular-season schedule on ESPN and ABC will be supplemented by seven additional matchups on NFL Network. The full schedule release also confirms high-profile Monday Night Football matchups and a record nine international games across four continents.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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