Pat McAfee has never been one to keep things quiet, and his next move is about to make football’s biggest night even louder. In 2026, McAfee has continued hosting The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN while expanding into major NFL broadcasting roles. Now, Disney is bringing him and his show to its Super Bowl LXI game plan, giving the sports personality another massive stage.

McAfee’s secret weapon is making sports analysis feel like a conversation with the loudest, funniest person in the room. Pair that energy with Disney’s Super Bowl ambitions, and football fans have plenty to look forward to.

Disney teams up with Pat McAfee for Super Bowl LXI

Pat McAfee is taking his signature brand of sports entertainment from the ESPN studio to the sidelines of the biggest game in American football. According to the ESPN Press Room, Disney is expanding its Super Bowl LXI plans with McAfee leading Field Pass, an alternative broadcast designed to bring fans closer to the action. And this is not just another commentary gig.

Disney is building a Super Bowl experience for every kind of football fan, and McAfee is right at the heart of its plans. Field Pass will offer lively commentary and sideline reactions, while Peyton and Eli Manning return with their beloved ManningCast on ESPN2. For viewers who prefer their football served with statistics, Playbook will bring a numbers-driven perspective to the big game.

The move also builds on ESPN’s efforts to experiment with alternative broadcasts during the NFL season, giving viewers more ways to experience the game. The ESPN Press Room announcement places McAfee among a wider lineup of voices and viewing styles for Super Bowl LXI. For Disney, the goal is clear: make football’s biggest Sunday feel bigger than ever.

With Super Bowl LXI heading to Disney+ and Pat McAfee bringing his signature chaos to the sidelines, the behind-the-scenes story is worth a closer look.

Disney and Pat McAfee’s Super Bowl LXI strategy

Disney’s Super Bowl LXI plans involve more than giving Pat McAfee another microphone and a bigger audience. The NFL’s reported 10% equity stake in ESPN earlier in 2026 adds a corporate dimension to the partnership, while McAfee has revealed that he pitched Field Pass directly to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to secure approval for on-field sideline access. The arrangement reflects how closely broadcasting ambitions and league relationships can intersect.

McAfee’s Super Bowl assignment also builds on his growing presence across ESPN’s biggest NFL broadcasts. His full-time addition to Monday Night Countdown alongside Jason Kelce and Scott Van Pelt has further cemented his place in the network’s football coverage. With Disney expanding its alternative broadcasts, McAfee’s larger-than-life personality gives Field Pass a distinctive identity and supports the company’s broader push to make Super Bowl LXI a more personalized viewing experience.

Are you excited to for the new teamup? Let us know in the comments!