ESPN Fantasy Football, the industry’s No. 1 fantasy football game, is now the official fantasy game of the NFL following a deal with the league, and with it comes new features, offerings and ways to play ESPN Fantasy Football.
ESPN Fantasy Football Marathon
The ESPN Fantasy Football Marathon is Aug. 24-25, beginning live on Aug. 24 from 7-9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 with Fantasy Focus Countdown, which continues from 9-11 p.m. ET on ESPN. On Aug. 25, Fantasy Focus Football podcast runs 7-8 p.m. ET on ESPN2 with the 2026 ESPN Fantasy Football Draft from 9-11 p.m. ET on ESPN and co-streamed to the NFL on ESPN YouTube. Shows across ESPN will support the marathon with fantasy content, including SportsCenter, Get Up, First Take, NFL Live and Unsportsmanlike.
ESPN Fantasy Football news, information and analysis
ESPN’s roster of award-winning fantasy football analysts and experts such as Field Yates, Eric Karabell, Liz Loza, Mike Clay and many others, are providing daily content to keep fans apprised of all the news and information regarding their players throughout the fantasy football season. From Karabell’s preseason Do Not Draft list to Clay’s weekly playbook and Matt Bowen’s trend watch, fans can expect the most updated projections, rankings and analysis that will enable them to build the best lineups possible. Among many new content conceits in 2026 will be Knockout leagues analysis with rankings and guidance from Tristan H. Cockcroft.
- Fantasy Football Now rebrand: The ESPN Fantasy Football show, Fantasy Football Now, is being renamed to Fantasy Focus Countdown beginning this season to align to the Fantasy Focus and Countdown ESPN brands. The show has an updated look and will continue running weekly on ESPN2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
- Fantasy Focus: Sunday Kickoff: Launching this season is Fantasy Focus: Sunday Kickoff, live on digital platforms. This new offering is meant to be a second-screen experience next to the newly re-branded Fantasy Focus Countdown featuring ESPN Fantasy experts answering lineup questions in real time leading into the 1 p.m. ET kickoffs. Fantasy Focus: Sunday Kickoff will run Sundays beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Fantasy Focus podcast: The ESPN Fantasy Focus Football podcast will continue its regular insight and analysis for fans with a return to its five-days-per-week schedule beginning Aug. 3. Hosted by Daniel Dopp and regularly featuring Yates, Clay, and Liz Loza, the podcast will continue to deliver rankings, waiver wire advice, game previews and more to help fantasy managers make informed decisions all season long. Fans can watch live on the NFL on ESPN YouTube, ESPN Fantasy Facebook and the ESPN App.
- Fantasy Focus Football LIVE podcast Aug. 20 in NYC!: Fantasy Focus Football LIVE is heading back to New York City, this time at Racket NYC, to kick off the fantasy season on Aug. 20! Doors open at 6 p.m. ET and the show starts at 7 p.m. ET. Come with all your fantasy football questions and join Yates, Clay, Dopp, and Loza. Grab tickets at FantasyFocusLIVE.com.
- Facts vs. Feelings: The popular Facts vs. Feelings series led by Loza has returned on Thursdays, offering a unique blend of data-driven analysis and expert intuition once a week ahead of the fantasy football season. The series will feature its own podcast/video publishing alongside her articles on the NFL on ESPN YouTube and Fantasy Focus podcast feed.
- NFL Fantasy Live: NFL Network’s fantasy football show, NFL Fantasy Live provides expert analysis and real-time advice for fantasy football fans. The show will air every weekday on NFL Network and within the ESPN App for Unlimited plan subscribers at 5 p.m. ET (except when NFL Network carries a live preseason game).
Enhanced product features
- Knockout leagues arrive: Announced earlier this summer, ESPN introduced ‘Knockout’ leagues, ESPN Fantasy Football’s take on the increasingly-popular elimination-style format that challenges managers to survive each week of the season. In Fantasy Knockout, the lowest-scoring team each week is eliminated, with that team’s entire roster released to waivers for all remaining managers to acquire. The process repeats until only one manager remains, creating a season-long battle for survival and a unique fantasy football experience. Fans can sign up here.
- Fantasy achievements unlocked: New this season is Fantasy Achievements, a system of digital awards that recognize unique milestones throughout the season. With interactive, sharable badges across multiple rarity tiers, achievements add a new layer of engagement, competition and bragging rights for players.
- Gridiron Gauntlet returns: Gridiron Gauntlet leagues are back this fantasy football season following successes from last year’s inaugural season. Last season “Chef Drake” won the trophy, ring and received the recognition. Sign-up for your shot at the top spot here.
- NFL-branded Pick’Em games & new NFL Playoff Predictor: ESPN has rebranded three of its fan‑favorite football prediction games in collaboration with the NFL: NFL Pick’em (previously Pigskin Pick’em), NFL Survivor (previously Eliminator Challenge) and NFL Win Totals (previously Pigskin Win Totals). These are still the classic games fans love, refreshed to feel even more connected to the league. Plus, ESPN has launched a brand-new game, NFL Playoff Predictor, giving fans another way to play all season long.
Additional features
- NFL Fantasy migration: Easily import your NFL Fantasy league, members and key league history to ESPN Fantasy. Learn more here.
- NFL highlights: Watch game highlights directly within Matchup Moments to stay up to date on every key play.
- Live activities: Follow your fantasy matchup in real time from your device’s home screen.
- Matchup Moments: Track every scoring play, touchdown and watch NFL highlights in one personalized game feed.
- League bundles: Create customized leagues with one-click presets, including SuperFlex, FAB, no kickers and more.
- Win probability charts: Visualize how every key play impacts your chances of winning throughout your matchup.
ESPN Fantasy Football marketing
ESPN is launching the 2026 fantasy football season with “It’s Fantasy Bonding Season,” a campaign celebrating fantasy football as the annual tradition that reconnects friends, family and rivals, while introducing ESPN Fantasy Football as the Official Fantasy Game of the NFL.
Inspired by classic 90s sitcoms, the campaign aims to drive new and returning players by highlighting the relationships that make fantasy football special. Watch here.
About ESPN Fantasy
ESPN Fantasy is the industry leader in fantasy sports with a broad portfolio of award-winning games that serve more than 24 million fantasy players each year. Combined with an extensive roster of ESPN Fantasy reporters, analysts and media personalities producing content across ESPN platforms, ESPN Fantasy delivers an unmatched combination of fun, easy-to-play games with comprehensive fantasy news and insights for both experienced players and fans who are new to fantasy sports.