On Sunday, February 14, football enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike will have a unique viewing option for Super Bowl LXI. Titled Star Wars Funday Football, this special presentation will recreate every play from the championship game using animated avatars for the NFL players, with beloved Star Wars characters making appearances at pivotal moments. According to reports from ScreenRant, the broadcast promises a galaxy of Easter eggs for eagle-eyed viewers, further enhancing the immersive experience.
Adding an authentic touch, veteran actor Anthony Daniels will reprise his role as the voice of C-3PO, a character he has embodied since the original 1977 film. This creative collaboration between ESPN, Lucasfilm, Disney, and the NFL aims to deliver an unparalleled alternate viewing experience. Viewers can catch Star Wars Funday Football streaming live on Disney+ and the ESPN app, as well as airing on Disney Channel and Disney XD.
This initiative is not just a novelty; it's a historic move for the franchise. While ESPN, Disney, and the NFL have previously experimented with animated alternate telecasts for NFL games—including Toy Story Funday Football in October 2023, The Simpsons Funday Football in December 2024, and Monsters Funday Football in December 2025—this marks the very first animated alternate presentation of a Super Bowl. The previous Toy Story edition garnered critical acclaim, even earning three Sports Emmy Awards, setting a high bar for this new galactic venture.
The Star Wars Funday Football event is also a key highlight in the franchise's extensive 50th-anniversary celebrations planned for the upcoming year. Alongside this Super Bowl takeover, fans can anticipate the second seasons of popular Disney+ series Ahsoka and Maul - Shadow Lord. Just five days after Super Bowl LXI, on February 19, a newly restored version of the original 1977 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is slated for a theatrical return. Furthermore, a new film, Starfighter, is set to debut in cinemas on May 27, with speculation rising about a potential themed commercial or trailer during the Super Bowl broadcast, following a similar marketing strategy employed for The Mandalorian and Grogu film last year.
For those who prefer the traditional sports broadcast, Super Bowl LXI will still be available in its standard format on ESPN, ABC, and Disney+, featuring the familiar commentary team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge, broadcasting live from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.