Back in 2006, ESPN took over broadcasting the NFL’s weekly Monday Night Football game. Prior to this, Monday Night Football was broadcast on ABC. Of course, both ESPN and ABC are owned by the Disney Corporation, but moving one of the most popular weekly sporting events to one of the world’s most renowned sports media companies made sense.
Since ESPN has broadcast Monday Night Football, the network has aired hundreds of games to the delight of top sports betting platforms, which have included dozens of iconic moments. In 2025, viewership of Monday Night Football set some records, and the NFL is looking to capitalize on them in 2026.
ESPN’s 2025 Monday Night Football numbers show the popularity of the NFL
According to an ESPN press release, 2025 viewership numbers proved that the NFL is as popular as ever among fans, and interest in the league is growing despite it being the most-watched professional sports league in the United States.
Per the release, ESPN averaged 15.4 million viewers on Monday nights, which was up 9% from 2024. Additionally, they recorded a record number of games with more than 20 million viewers. Indeed, 2025 saw them have the second-highest viewed season of Monday Night Football games.
Importantly, ESPN saw that there was an increase in viewership among fans ages 19-49, a 5% increase from 2024. Additionally, there was a 15% jump in viewership among females.
Another notable indicator that ESPN is a huge benefit to the NFL is the fact that the 27.5 million viewers of their Week 18 matchup that saw the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a 25% increase in viewership from 2024’s Week 18 game.
Notes for the 2026 MNF Broadcasts
The unpopular doubleheader broadcasts are gone. ESPN attempted to try and doublebook on Monday nights to capitalize on a rabid fanbase, but the move proved unpopular despite the network showing strong numbers. Strong fan pushback was heard and changes made.
Also controversial for fans who happen to have tickets to games between weeks 12 and 17, flex scheduling will allow ESPN to be flexed with 12 days notice.
Gone are Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick triumvirate of secondary booth personnel. Rumors are swirling surrounding adding Jason Kelce and Kurt Warner.
Monday Night Football games on the 2026 NFL schedule
As has often the case in past seasons, some of the most intriguing games of the NFL season will be broadcast on Monday Night Football. Below is the schedule for Monday Night Football games that will air on ESPN this season:
Week 1 (September 14): Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 2 (September 21): New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams
Week 3 (September 28): Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears
Week 4 (October 5): Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
Week 5 (October 12): Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams
Week 6 (October 19): Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers
Week 7 (October 26): Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
Week 8 (November 2): Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks
Week 9 (November 9): Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings
Week 10 (November 16): Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens
Week 11 (November 23): Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington Commanders
Week 12 (November 30): Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 13 (December 7): Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks
Week 14 (December 14): Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 15 (December 21): New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 16 (December 28): New York Giants @ Detroit Lions
Week 17 (January 4): Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers
