Carrie Underwood to Lead the 2026 NFL Season Opening on Sunday Night Football

When the NFL says it wants a grand opening, it usually means fireworks, big‑screen graphics and, of course, a song that can make the whole stadium sit up and listen. This year, NBC’s Sunday Night Football has rolled the dice on a country‑music icon: Carrie Underwood.

Underwood, who’s performed at the Super Bowl and countless other high‑profile sporting events, will take the stage for the 2026 season’s very first game. She’s slated to sing a soaring version of “The Star‑Spangled Banner,” followed by a surprise medley that blends classic American tunes with a few of her own hits. Rumor has it she’ll even slip in a nod to the fans who have been cheering for her ever since she won American Idol back in 2005.

For the NFL, the move feels almost inevitable. The league has been courting big‑name artists to add that extra emotional punch to its primetime broadcasts, and Carrie’s voice—part powerhouse, part tender—hits the sweet spot. “She’s got the kind of presence that can turn a stadium into a cathedral,” a senior NBC executive told us, smiling.

Fans are already buzzing on social media, posting memes and countdown timers. Some are even revisiting her unforgettable Super Bowl XLIX performance, where she sang “God Bless the USA” and brought the house down. “If anyone can make a national anthem feel like a personal invitation, it’s Carrie,” one Twitter user wrote, adding a heart emoji for good measure.

Beyond the anthem, Underwood’s involvement signals a broader partnership between the NFL and the country‑music world. Recent years have seen more crossover moments—Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” livestream at the Super Bowl, and Blake Shelton’s surprise halftime cameo—so this isn’t just a one‑off. It’s a sign that the league is banking on the emotional resonance that country storytelling brings to the game‑day experience.

As the 2026 season looms, the question on everyone’s mind isn’t just who will win the first matchup, but how Carrie will make that moment feel. Will she stick to a classic rendition, or will she sprinkle in a modern twist? Either way, the anticipation is palpable, and the NFL’s kickoff night is shaping up to be one of the most memorable openings in recent memory.