I’m here for it.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Carrie Underwood would return to sing the Sunday Night Football anthem for the 14th straight year. Unlike last year, which was filmed at The Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, this season’s open will feature scenes in the recording studio, an intimate, smaller music venue and a concert at a packed stadium, according to People.
Carrie says that this year’s rendition captures the “heart of rock ‘n’ roll,” and says it’s one of her favorite versions yet:
“This year’s show open welcomes Sunday Night Football into my ongoing rock star fever dream. I love this new version of the track and, once again, Tripp and the incredible team behind the camera brought it to life in a whole new way that captures the spirit of this iconic song and the heart of rock ‘n’ roll.
It’s one of my most favorite opens yet!”
It’s well-documented how much Carrie loves rock, so I’m not surprised to hear that and I’m excited to see the full video:
Of course, Faith Hill was the SNF girl for many years, belting out “Waiting All Day For Sunday Night” every weekend on TV’s across America, but I’ve loved seeing Carrie step up and carry on the torch over the last decade. If anyone is on Faith’s level in terms of vocal ability, it’s Carrie Underwood.
She gets a decent amount of hate for it, which I really don’t understand, because I think she’s great and honestly I don’t think there’s anyone who could do it better… Faith Hill was incredible, but she can’t do it forever, and I think Carrie has really made it her own.
And last night, we got a sneak peak of what this year’s version will be like, as NBC shared a teaser of it during the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, which my Carolina Panthers won against the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in a down-to-the-wire victory. I know it doesn’t matter at all and we’re in the preseason, but I don’t care… when you’re a Panthers fan, a win’s a win, and I take what I can get.
That is the first official game of the NFL season, even though it’s part of the preseason set of games, which is always an indication that regular season play is really right around the corner. And just like they said, Carrie’s 2026 rendition is super rock and roll, even in the teaser you can hear how they changed the production, and per the usual, her vocals are on point and she looks absolutely incredible.
Check it out:
