- Iconic Phil Collins classic returns as the signature opening of Monday Night Football; Ludacris brings new energy to ESPN’s Super Bowl LXI season
- Debuts ahead of Week 1 of Monday Night Football on Sept. 14 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC)
ESPN’s Monday Night Football will once again open with the iconic sounds of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” as Chris Stapleton and Cindy Blackman Santana return as the anchor for a fourth consecutive season, joined for the first time by Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor and entrepreneur Ludacris.
The refreshed rendition of “In the Air Tonight” will debut as Monday Night Football begins ESPN’s Super Bowl LXI season, continuing a new tradition that has become synonymous in recent years with one of sports television’s premier franchises. Since first teaming up in 2023, Stapleton and Blackman Santana have helped reimagine the legendary song for a new generation of football fans. This season, Ludacris adds his distinctive voice and charismatic presence to the opening, blending music, culture and football in a way only Monday Night Football can.
The new open will lead into each Monday Night Football game this season, premiering in Week 1 when the Broncos and Chiefs face off (Sept. 14, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC).
“Chris and Cindy have helped make ‘In the Air Tonight’ an integral part of the Monday Night Football experience over the last three seasons,” said ESPN VP, Production, and Executive Producer of the In the Air Tonight project, Julie McGlone. “Adding Ludacris to the legacy MNF anthem brings a new dimension to the creative and continues our tradition of celebrating the intensity, anticipation and shared emotion of American sports culture, where music, competition and spectacle come together to make each game feel like a cultural event.”
Added McGlone, “the success of this open is also a testament to the incredible creative vision of Rico Labbe, who has served as creative director since its debut in 2023, and Amanda Paschal, whose work as producer has helped bring the project to life season after season.”
A multi-platinum artist and one of hip-hop’s most recognizable figures, Ludacris has spent more than two decades shaping music and entertainment. His addition to the Monday Night Football open comes during ESPN’s first Super Bowl season and further elevates one of the franchise’s most recognizable traditions.
Stapleton’s powerful vocals and Blackman Santana’s signature drum change have become staples of the Monday Night Football brand, helping transform Collins’ classic into the soundtrack of football’s biggest stage. Together with Ludacris, the trio delivers a fresh take on the anthem while preserving the energy and anticipation fans associate with Monday nights.
The latest version of Monday Night Football’s “In the Air Tonight” anthem continues ESPN’s longstanding tradition of collaborating with acclaimed musicians to create memorable season-opening moments and celebrate the return of NFL action each fall. Additional details, including behind-the-scenes content and creative assets, will be announced in advance of the season premiere.
More on the 2026-27 Season of Monday Night Football and Super Bowl LXI
ESPN enters its first Super Bowl season with its largest NFL game portfolio ever, featuring 28 games plus Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, 2027. Monday Night Football returns with the award-winning team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge, beginning with a Week 1 AFC West showdown between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. Buck and Aikman also enter their 25th season together as an NFL broadcast duo, extending one of the longest-running partnerships in sports television.
Throughout the season, ESPN’s NFL coverage will feature marquee matchups, innovative presentations including Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli and culminate with the network’s first-ever presentation of the Super Bowl. More information on ESPN’s 2026-27 NFL coverage plans can be found here.