Disney+ to stream upcoming Super Bowl
For the first time, Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and dozens of international markets will be able to stream the Super Bowl live, supporting ESPN's historic 2027 broadcast debut.
- Headline: Disney+ to stream upcoming Super Bowl
- Dispatch Summary: For the first time, Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and dozens of international markets will be able to stream the Super Bowl live, supporting ESPN's historic 2027 broadcast debut.
- Verification: Corroborated across independent reporting outlets with primary sources and real-time wire transmissions.
Subscribers to Disney+ in the United States and dozens of international markets will be able to watch the upcoming Super Bowl directly on the platform for the first time. The Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday that Super Bowl LXI will stream live on Disney+ on Sunday, February 14, 2027, providing another platform for fans to watch ESPN's first Super Bowl production. The broadcast will be available to all U.S. subscribers alongside the traditional game presentation on ESPN and ABC, the Spanish-language telecast on ESPN Deportes, and the ManningCast with Peyton and Eli on ESPN2.
The move comes as Disney looks to create the biggest canvas possible for the big game — and its pricey ads. By pulling its live sports and entertainment properties into the streaming app — including upcoming Monday Night Football games and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest, the company is adding to the expanding roster of sports available on the streamer, as the company looks to entice customers to subscribe to bundles that include the full bouquet of ESPN coverage.
Where will international viewers be able to watch the game?
Outside of the U.S., Disney+ will stream ESPN's Super Bowl in more than 55 international markets, including Spanish-speaking Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean, South Africa, and Australia and New Zealand. In addition, ESPN's linear platforms will broadcast the Super Bowl in more than 130 countries and territories. Sports streamer DAZN has streaming rights for the 2026-27 NFL season (including the Super Bowl) outside the U.S. and China in over 200 countries, available through its NFL Game Pass package.
This massive global footprint is designed to create the biggest possible canvas for the game and its pricey ads. Disney in August said ad inventory for the 2027 championship is sold out. It's the earliest a broadcaster has announced a sellout for Super Bowl commercials. According to the company, 58 brands across 34 categories (including nine first-time Super Bowl advertisers) have secured units for the game. But Disney isn't done trying to maximize revenue: If advertisers that have committed to airtime back out and give up their slots, the company is seeking between $10 million and $12 million per 30-second commercial, Variety reported.
What other games are coming to the platform first?
Before Super Bowl LXI will be played on Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which previously hosted the 2022 championship game, Disney+ subscribers will gain access to regular-season NFL broadcasts. Two "Monday Night Football" regular season games will be available to Disney+ subscribers in the lead up to the big game:
- Monday, Oct. 26 (Week 7): Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
- A second game to be announced at a later date
These broadcasts join the expanding roster of sports available on the streamer, as the company looks to entice customers to subscribe to bundles that include the full bouquet of ESPN coverage. Disney+ currently offers select ESPN college football games each week, alongside "College GameDay." Later this year, Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and most international markets can also begin streaming all Formula E races.
How is Disney preparing for the historic broadcast?
The company plans to leverage every part of its portfolio, from theme parks to films to products and experiences to drive awareness to the 2027 Super Bowl and the fact that it will be ESPN's first (the company will turn Santa Monica Beach into ESPN Beach as part of the takeover). The company will transform Santa Monica Beach into ESPN Beach leading into Super Bowl Sunday, a week-long broadcast hub for both ESPN and ABC beginning February 8th, alongside a free fan experience on the Santa Monica Pier. The fan activation will feature interactive games, immersive experiences and family-friendly entertainment tied to ESPN, ABC and Disney, alongside themed merchandise and food offerings.
ESPN and Disney’s “We’re Going,” a marketing campaign for ESPN’s inaugural Super Bowl, reimagines the iconic I’m Going to Disney World
tradition, including the debut spot featuring more than 60 characters from across Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar. Disney has also unveiled the Disney | Champion NFL collection, debuted at Fanatics Fest NYC with a Fan Draft featuring Tom Brady, Emmitt Smith, Rob Gronkowski and Fernando Mendoza.
Who is calling the game and what will the production look like?
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge will call the game, as well as the Spanish language telecast on ESPN Deportes. All of ESPN's "Monday Night Football" games and its Super Bowl programming will remain available on the ESPN App in the U.S. In addition to the traditional and Spanish-language Super Bowl LXI presentations, the platform will carry the ManningCast with Peyton and Eli on ESPN2 and all other Super Bowl Sunday studio programming. The ESPN App will also carry programming throughout the week leading up to the game, as well as all season long.
That leaves the broader media landscape adjusting to a reality where traditional television centerpieces live side-by-side with massive streaming ecosystems. As the event approaches, the company is leaning into every part of its portfolio, from theme parks to films and consumer products, to drive awareness toward the broadcast.
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