ESPN Launches “The Year of the Super Bowl” Ahead of 2027 Broadcast
ESPN just announced “The Year of the Super Bowl,” a 12-month, cross-platform celebration marking the network’s historic first Super Bowl production in February 2027.
The new initiative, launched in partnership with the NFL and The Walt Disney Company, unites storytelling, technology, and fan experiences across ESPN, ABC, and Disney properties.
Photo: Disney
“With the full strength of The Walt Disney Company and in collaboration with the NFL, ESPN has embarked on a year-long Super Bowl celebration,” said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN Chairman.
“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. 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.”
Photo: ESPN Press Room
Official Kick Off
The campaign officially kicked off immediately after Super Bowl LX with “The Handoff,” a 24‑hour programming event linking SoFi Stadium and Disneyland Park.
Chris Berman ceremonially passed the baton to Scott Van Pelt in a symbolic on‑air moment connecting Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium to Super Bowl LXI at SoFi.
Photo: MSN
Highlights of “The Handoff” included an opening feature that followed fans on a Pacific Coast journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles, tying together Super Bowls LX and LX.
There were also visits to Disneyland from Super Bowl–winning quarterback Sam Darnold and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
Photo: Disney
ESPN also premiered new content celebrating the game’s legacy, such as “60 Super Bowl Images in 60 Seconds,” and extended its NFL presence into ABC staples including Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
New Storytelling
ESPN
At the heart of “The Year of the Super Bowl” is a new weekly series, “I Scored a Touchdown.” The show highights players who have found the end zone on the field and willl feature 1–2‑minute highlights of 61 players leading up to Super Bowl LXI.
New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree was the first subject, with the series revisiting not only his iconic helmet catch from Super Bowl XLII but also his earlier, often overlooked touchdown that gave the Giants a 10–7 fourth‑quarter lead.
The Biggest Game
Photo: Michael Vargo on LinkedIn
ESPN is also rolling out “The Biggest Game,” a new weekly video podcast hosted by Emmy-winning reporter Jeremy Schaap.
The series will explore six decades of Super Bowl history! The premiere episode features Chris Berman, who has covered 44 consecutive Super Bowls, with additional episodes slated to drop weekly around the NFL Draft and beyond.
New Programming and More
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Over the next year, fans can expect a steady stream of new stories, themed programming, and fan-facing activations tied to the NFL.
ESPN and Disney plan fresh narratives linked to key offseason moments and expanded collaborations leveraging Disney characters and franchises. There will also be new programming and experiences during the 2026–27 NFL season.
Photo: NFL
Content will live across linear TV, streaming, social channels, and in-park experiences, ensuring that “The Year of the Super Bowl” continually builds momentum leading up to Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
ESPN and Disney
ESPN
ESPN and Disney have already launched “We’re Going,” a fast-paced, celebrity-filled campaign that debuted on Good Morning America.
The spot reimagines the classic “I’m Going to Disney World” Super Bowl tradition, stitching together nearly four decades of fan-fave moments and over 60 Disney characters all coming together at Super Bowl LXI.
The ad sets the tone for how Disney and ESPN will merge tradition, storytelling, and spectacle on the road to 2027.
Disney Advertising
Disney Advertising will layer in a suite of premium opportunities for brand partners, spanning ESPN, ABC, and more.
Advertisers will have access to custom content, innovative integrations, live events, and first-of-its-kind cross-platform visibility tied to the Super Bowl and key NFL moments.
Photo: ESPN
All of this builds toward February 14, 2027, when ESPN and ABC will present Super Bowl LXI. This is ABC’s first Super Bowl since 2006 and ESPN’s first in network history .
Stay tuned and follow along with us at MickeyBlog to stay updated on this and all things Disney.
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Article Source/Feature Photo: ESPN
