Photo Credit: ESPN x Apple Music
ESPN and Apple Music are collaborating on Monday Night Football’s music curation for the 2026-27 season, leading up to ESPN’s first-ever Super Bowl.
Continuing the momentum of ESPN’s “Year of the Super Bowl” efforts that began the moment the clock struck zero after Super Bowl LX, ESPN and Apple Music have announced their collaboration on Monday Night Football (MNF) music curation for the 2026-27 season.
In years past, ESPN has collaborated on MNF music curation with artists like Saweetie (2025), J Balvin (2024), Timbaland & Justin Timberlake (2023), Marshmello (2022), Drake (2021), DJ Khaled (2020), and Diplo (2019). Apple Music will be stepping into that role leading up to ESPN’s first-ever Super Bowl and the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show.
The announcement of Apple Music curating music for MNF this season aims to provide a global, cultural platform for the season, and the music chosen will run in ESPN MNF promotional spots, live telecasts, and Monday Night Countdown.
“There’s nothing like the energy of a Monday Night Football game,” said Matt Plotnik, Global Head of Marketing, Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. “We’re giving that energy a soundtrack, powered by Apple Music’s deep bench of curators and tastemakers. We can’t wait to bring artists and music to this audience in a way that matches the moment.”
The first song and artist Apple Music has selected is the recently released single, “Dead Fresh” by Lil Baby, which will run in ESPN’s Week 1 promotional efforts. Week 1’s MNF game is Monday, September 14, at 8 PM ET on ESPN between the Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs.
Apple Music’s weekly music picks will appear in the following games:
- Week 1: Broncos vs Chiefs
- Week 5: Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Rams
- Week 7: Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 13: Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks
- Week 15: New England Patriots vs Chiefs
- Week 18: TBD Doubleheader
“Lil Baby sets the tone at kickoff for us. The sound, energy, and moment are right, just like Pharrell’s beat,” said Curtis Friends, Vice President of Sports Marketing at ESPN. “This is the biggest season yet for ESPN, and Apple Music is perfect to help carry that energy from Monday Night Football all the way through to the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show.”
Today also kicks off as the official Road to Halftime countdown on Apple Music. A hub for everything leading up to the big game from kickoff to the Super Bowl LXI halftime show, fans can dive into exclusive playlists, iconic performances, and more.