Disney Reveals Yearlong Super Bowl 61 Celebration

ESPN and Disney announce content and programming ahead of the big game in Los Angeles.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Disney and ESPN have unveiled 'The Year of the Super Bowl,' a yearlong initiative leading up to ABC and ESPN's presentation of Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The collaboration with the NFL will feature new content, fan experiences, and advertising opportunities across Disney's portfolio of brands and platforms.

Why it matters

As one of the most watched television events globally, the Super Bowl provides a major opportunity for Disney to showcase its sports, entertainment, and advertising capabilities to a massive audience. This yearlong celebration allows Disney to build momentum and fan engagement around the big game through its various media properties and touchpoints.

The details

The initiative will include a new weekly ESPN series called 'I Scored a Touchdown' highlighting 61 past Super Bowl touchdown scorers, as well as a new podcast called 'The Biggest Game' hosted by Jeremy Schaap. Disney Advertising is also introducing premium advertising opportunities for brand partners to integrate with Super Bowl content and moments across ESPN, ABC, and Disney's broader portfolio.

  • Super Bowl LXI will take place on February 14, 2026 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
  • The 'Year of the Super Bowl' initiative will run throughout 2025 leading up to the big game.

The players

Jimmy Pitaro

ESPN chairman.

Rita Ferro

Disney's ads president.

ESPN

A Disney-owned sports media company that will broadcast Super Bowl LXI.

Disney

The parent company of ESPN and ABC, which will also be involved in the yearlong Super Bowl celebration.

NFL

The National Football League, which is collaborating with Disney and ESPN on the initiative.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN chairman (adweek.com)

“There are a lot of conversations around how the Walt Disney Company takes over and shows up for the Super Bowl in a way that will be representative of not only everything ESPN does and ABC does, and all of our news and information shows do, but how does the Walt Disney Company show up through our station, KABC, in L.A., too? So we're going to have a surround coverage that I think the Super Bowl has never experienced.”

— Rita Ferro, Disney's ads president (adweek.com)

What’s next

Disney and ESPN will continue to unveil new content, fan experiences, and advertising opportunities as part of 'The Year of the Super Bowl' initiative leading up to Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2026.

The takeaway

Disney is leveraging its vast media ecosystem to create a yearlong celebration around the Super Bowl, allowing the company to engage fans, showcase its storytelling capabilities, and provide unique advertising opportunities for brand partners across its portfolio of channels and platforms.