ESPN to Air Star Wars Funday Football for Super Bowl LXI
The February 14, 2027 broadcast will feature a Star Wars-themed animated game.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you enjoy watching sports games that feature themed animated overlays?
ESPN and the NFL are set to produce a Star Wars-themed animated broadcast for Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027. The project, titled Star Wars Funday Football, will air across Disney Channel, DisneyXD, and Disney+.
Why it matters
The special broadcast celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Star Wars franchise, which debuted in 1977. This collaboration between Lucasfilm and the NFL provides a unique way to mark the milestone during one of the most-watched sporting events.
The Star Wars franchise marks its 50th anniversary in 2027, dating back to the 1977 release of the first film. Advertising inventory for the upcoming animated Super Bowl LXI broadcast is already sold out, according to Disney Ad Sales.
The players
Anthony Daniels
He is an English actor widely recognized for portraying C-3PO in the Star Wars film series.
Disney
It is a diversified multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate that owns ESPN, Lucasfilm, and the Disney+ streaming service.
NFL
The National Football League is the premier professional American football organization in the United States.
Lucasfilm
It is an American film and television production company known for creating and producing the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.
Beyond Sports
It is a technology company specializing in live sports data visualization and augmented reality broadcasts.
The details
Beyond Sports is providing the data visualization technology required to translate the live Super Bowl action into an animated environment. Anthony Daniels is confirmed to provide voice work for the telecast, which utilizes character interpretations developed by Lucasfilm.
Timeline
January 20, 2027: Ahsoka Season 2 premieres on Disney+.
February 14, 2027: Super Bowl LXI and Star Wars Funday Football broadcast.
February 19, 2027: A restored version of Star Wars Episode IV returns to theaters.
May 28, 2027: The feature film Starfighter is scheduled for release.
Season Trajectory
This event expands the use of data-driven animated sports broadcasting, marking a significant evolution in how live games are presented to viewers. By integrating high-profile cinematic themes, the league is attempting to broaden the appeal of its championship broadcast.
Fans will have the choice to watch the standard Super Bowl broadcast or the animated Star Wars version across the Disney network of platforms. With the advertising inventory already sold out, the broadcast represents a major commercial focus for the upcoming championship game.
The takeaway
The event reflects a growing trend of integrating major entertainment franchises into live sports to engage younger audiences. Fans interested in the cross-over should keep an eye on Disney+ for the simultaneous stream on game day.
Further reading
For more information on league-wide broadcast initiatives, visit the Football section.
Live Poll
Do you enjoy watching sports games that feature themed animated overlays?
