NBC Announces Major Carrie Underwood Change For ‘Sunday Night Football’ In 2026
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Carrie Underwood isn’t going anywhere.
NBC has confirmed the country music superstar will return for a 14th consecutive season as the voice of ‘Sunday Night Football’, introducing a brand-new version of the broadcast’s iconic opening anthem.
The network announced the news on Tuesday, marking the continuation of one of the longest-running partnerships between a major sports broadcast and a musical artist. Underwood has opened NBC’s NFL coverage since 2013. And fans will hear a refreshed take on the familiar theme when the 2026 season begins.
Creative director Tripp Dixon said this year’s production leans into Underwood’s well-known love of rock music.
He explained that the creative team wanted to reconnect the anthem with its rock roots, which trace back to Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ classic “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”
Carrie Underwood Gives Iconic NFL Theme A Fresh Rock Twist
Underwood has embraced the new direction.
The singer said the updated opening “welcomes Sunday Night Football into my ongoing rock star fever dream,” adding that she is excited for fans to hear the new version.
Fans won’t have to wait until September for their first listen. NBC confirmed a preview will debut during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6, giving viewers an early taste before the regular season begins.
The full debut arrives on Sept. 13, when the Dallas Cowboys visit the New York Giants to open NBC’s Sunday Night Football schedule. The matchup also marks John Harbaugh’s regular-season debut as New York’s head coach.
The Cowboys and Giants have become one of NBC’s signature rivalries. This season marks the 15th time the teams have met on ‘Sunday Night Football’, trailing only Cowboys-Eagles for the most appearances in the broadcast’s history.
Underwood has become nearly as synonymous with Sunday nights as the NFL itself. After more than a decade, NBC appears confident that refreshing the anthem, rather than replacing its voice, remains the winning formula.
