Entertainment · October 20, 2026
‘Star Wars’ Comes to 2027 Super Bowl With Animated ‘Alterna-Cast’ for Disney Channel, XD, Disney+
Disney, ESPN, Lucasfilm, and the NFL have announced a 'Star Wars'-themed animated alternate telecast for Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for February 14, 2027. The production, titled 'Funday Football,' will air on Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and the ESPN App alongside the traditional broadcast on ABC and ESPN. The telecast will utilize real-time data to transform NFL players into animated avatars within a Star Wars environment. Original actor Anthony Daniels will voice C-3PO, and other franchise characters will appear during key plays. This marks the first time Disney has produced an animated 'Funday Football' altcast for a Super Bowl, following previous regular-season collaborations featuring 'Toy Story' and 'The Simpsons.'
Read the original coverage
- VarietyTrade
‘Star Wars’ Comes to 2027 Super Bowl With Animated ‘Alterna-Cast’ for Disney Channel, XD, Disney+
Read at Variety ↗ ‘Star Wars’-Themed Super Bowl Altcast Joins Disney’s Big Game Lineup
Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗- Yahoo SportsSports network
‘Star Wars’ Animated Alternate Telecast Set for 2027 Super Bowl
Read at Yahoo Sports ↗ - DeadlineTrade
'Star Wars' Headed To Super Bowl LXI For Animated Altcast On Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney XD
Read at Deadline ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- The 'Star Wars' alternate telecast will occur during Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027.
- The broadcast will air on Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and the ESPN App.
- Anthony Daniels will voice the character C-3PO for the production.
- The game will feature real-time animation of players as avatars using Sony's Beyond Sports technology.
- Star Wars characters will be integrated into the game during key plays.
Reported by only some outlets
- Monday Night Football highlights on 'SC+' will feature Star Wars visual themes starting October 26, 2026.
- Darth Vader is scheduled to 'interview' an NFL player on SC+ during the regular season.
- The telecast will be available live in several international markets including Latin America, Australia, and Canada.
- There will be a total of five or six different Disney productions/telecasts of the game across various networks.
Confirmed
- Super Bowl LXI will feature a Star Wars themed animated alternate telecast.
- The event is scheduled for February 14, 2027.
- Anthony Daniels is reprising his role as C-3PO.
- The telecast will air on Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney XD.
Reported
- Sony's Beyond Sports is the specific technology provider for the data visualization. (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Darth Vader will conduct animated interviews with players starting in late October 2026. (The Hollywood Reporter)
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