Zac Brown Band Brings Southern Rock Flair to Sunday Night Baseball Opener

The Georgia-based band's reimagined take on a classic rock anthem sets a new tone for MLB's primetime showcase.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:42am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes in contrasting red and white tones, conceptually representing the fusion of baseball and Southern rock music.Zac Brown Band's reimagined take on a classic rock anthem brings a fresh, Americana-infused energy to the Sunday Night Baseball opening.Atlanta Today

In a surprising move, country-rock group Zac Brown Band has been tapped to perform the opening theme for NBC's Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts. The band's unique spin on Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 'Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression Part 2' aims to bring a fresh, Americana-infused energy to the long-running sports franchise, departing from the typical high-octane anthems heard before big games.

Why it matters

The choice of Zac Brown Band represents a bold departure from the expected sports theme music, signaling a shift towards more genre-blending and personal connections between artists and the games they soundtrack. This collaboration highlights the growing trend of musicians becoming integral to the overall sports viewing experience, creating cultural touchpoints that go beyond just the game itself.

The details

Zac Brown, a lifelong Braves fan from Georgia, sees this as a 'full-circle' moment for the band. Their reimagined take on the classic Emerson, Lake & Palmer track features the lyric 'Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends' - a perfect fit for baseball's endless 162-game season. The gritty, authentic sound of Southern rock provides a unique counterpoint to the typical high-energy sports anthems, offering a more reflective and nostalgic tone to the Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts.

  • Zac Brown Band's opening theme debuted on April 2, 2026, the start of the 2026 MLB season.
  • NBC signed a 3-year deal with Major League Baseball to feature Zac Brown Band's opening theme on Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts.

The players

Zac Brown Band

A Grammy-winning country-rock group from Georgia known for their blend of Southern rock, country, and Americana music.

NBC

The American television network that holds the broadcast rights for Sunday Night Baseball, one of the most-watched weekly MLB telecasts.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

The influential British progressive rock band whose song 'Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression Part 2' was reimagined by Zac Brown Band for the Sunday Night Baseball opening.

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What they’re saying

“Having our band's debut on Sunday Night Baseball coincide with an Atlanta Braves game feels full circle. We're excited to bring our sound to such an iconic sports franchise.”

— Zac Brown, Lead Singer, Zac Brown Band

What’s next

NBC and Major League Baseball will continue their partnership, with Zac Brown Band's opening theme music featured throughout the 2026, 2027, and 2028 Sunday Night Baseball seasons.

The takeaway

Zac Brown Band's unexpected involvement in the Sunday Night Baseball opening represents a broader trend of artists becoming more integrated into the sports viewing experience. By blending genres and tapping into personal connections, this collaboration signals a shift towards creating more meaningful cultural touchpoints that go beyond just the game itself.