{"id":2647,"date":"2026-06-25T14:52:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/?p=2647"},"modified":"2026-06-25T14:52:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:52:37","slug":"espns-record-setting-monday-night-football-viewership-in-2025-leads-nfl-to-look-to-capitalize-on-2026-ratings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/media\/sports-media\/espns-record-setting-monday-night-football-viewership-in-2025-leads-nfl-to-look-to-capitalize-on-2026-ratings\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN\u2019s record-setting Monday Night Football Viewership in 2025 leads NFL to look to capitalize on 2026 ratings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back in 2006, ESPN took over broadcasting the NFL\u2019s 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\u2019s most renowned sports media companies made sense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since ESPN has broadcast Monday Night Football, the network has aired hundreds of games to the delight of <\/span>top sports betting platforms<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s 2025 Monday Night Football numbers show the popularity of the NFL<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"ESPN\"<\/p>\n

According to an <\/span>ESPN press release<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019s Week 18 game.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Notes for the 2026 MNF Broadcasts<\/span><\/h2>\n

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. <\/span>Strong fan pushback<\/span><\/a> was heard and changes made.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gone are Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick triumvirate of secondary booth personnel. Rumors are swirling surrounding adding Jason Kelce and Kurt Warner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Monday Night Football games on the 2026 NFL schedule<\/span><\/h2>\n

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:<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 1 (September 14): Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 2 (September 21): New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 3 (September 28): Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 4 (October 5): Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 5 (October 12): Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 6 (October 19): Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 7 (October 26): Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 8 (November 2): Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 9 (November 9): Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 10 (November 16): Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 11 (November 23): Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington Commanders<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 12 (November 30): Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 13 (December 7): Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 14 (December 14): Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 15 (December 21): New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 16 (December 28): New York Giants @ Detroit Lions<\/span><\/p>\n

Week 17 (January 4): Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers<\/span><\/p>\n

More\u00a0<\/span>Sports Media news<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>from Last Word on Sports<\/h2>\n

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