On Monday, December 9, “The Simpsons Funday Football” streams live on Disney+ and ESPN+, bringing the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys into Springfield’s animated world for Monday Night Football.
The event, a real-time animated telecast, combines the NFL’s Next Gen Stats with Sony’s Beyond Sports and Hawk-Eye Innovations to recreate each play in the iconic Simpsons style. Classic Simpsons characters, voiced by the original cast, will interact with players, including Bart supporting Joe Burrow and the Bengals and Homer with Dak Prescott and the Cowboys.
Outside of the live game, The Simpsons producers have written original content for the telecast that will be utilized before, during and after the game.
How It Works
Using advanced tracking, players from both teams appear as animated characters in a 3D Springfield. Fans will see every pass, snap, and touchdown in real-time, with Bart and Homer occasionally joining the action. Each will select key opportunities to play offense and/or defense, replacing a player and joining his other 10 teammates on the field.
Marge and Lisa will interview players, Maggie will manage the SkyCam, and characters like Krusty, Milhouse, and Ralph will cheer from the sidelines. Throughout, fans will enjoy iconic music, custom skits, and segments featuring ESPN personalities animated as Simpsons-style commentators.
How To Watch
The Simpsons Funday Football runs on Disney+ and ESPN+ alongside the traditional Monday Night Football broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes, with “MNF with Peyton and Eli” available on ESPN2. Internationally, the broadcast will be available in over 145 countries, with VOD available 12 hours post-broadcast.
This is the second Funday Football collaboration between Disney, ESPN, and the NFL, following 2023’s Toy Story-themed game, which was recognized with Sports Emmys and Disney+ viewership records.
Additional info:
- The telecast will feature dozens the show’s iconic characters, with each character playing into their well-known persona
- Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner and Yeardley Smith will voice several of their characters in prerecorded bits and skits
- The timeless theme song and more jingles from the show will be employed
- Animated segments incorporating Stephen A. Smith, Peyton and Eli Manning and more will appear in the telecast, with their segments written by the Simpsons creators
- Players from both teams will have pre-recorded segments which include interactions with Simpsons characters.
- Animated versions of Mina Kimes and Dan Orlovsky will provide football strategy discussion with Drew Carter calling the game action
Watch The Simpsons Funday Football promo:
