The Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday that ESPN’s telecast of Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, will be available to Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. The game, hosted at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., will also air on ABC and ESPN, marking ESPN’s first time producing the NFL’s marquee event. The addition of Disney+ expands access to the most-watched TV event of the year for viewers without traditional cable subscriptions.
Two Monday Night Football games in the current season will also stream on Disney+, including a matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles on October 26. Disney+ has been expanding its live sports offerings, adding select ESPN college football games and Formula E races in recent months.
Advertising and revenue implications
Disney is offering advertisers the opportunity to purchase streaming-only ads across Disney+, the ESPN app, Hulu Live, and Fubo. The company has already sold out commercial time on the ESPN and ABC telecasts, with 30-second spots reaching $10 million each. Streaming platforms have become a growing revenue stream for networks carrying major events, with Fox’s 2025 Super Bowl LIX averaging 13.6 million viewers on Tubi, its ad-supported streaming service. Fox sold streaming-only ads for the event at around $2 million per 30-second spot, which aired during local Fox affiliate commercial breaks.
Historical context and production details
ESPN will produce the Super Bowl for the first time in its history, though the game will still air on ABC, which last carried the event in 2006. The NFL’s marquee game has drawn over 120 million viewers in recent years, making it the most-watched annual TV broadcast. Disney’s move aligns with broader industry trends of streaming platforms securing rights to major live sports events, increasing accessibility for casual fans while creating new advertising opportunities.