Football fans, get ready to roar! On Monday, December 8, ESPN, Disney, Pixar, and the NFL will bring Monsters Funday Football to life on Disney+, ESPN2, Disney Channel, and Disney XD. This special broadcast features the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers, reimagined inside the animated world of Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.
A Tradition of Animated Football Fun
This is the third season of Funday Football, following the success of Toy Story Funday Football (2023) and The Simpsons Funday Football (2024). Each version expands how fans enjoy football, combining storytelling and real-time sports technology.
In Toy Story Funday Football, players became toys inside Andy’s bedroom. The Simpsons Funday Football brought fans to Springfield, where Homer and Bart jumped in for touchdown moments. Now, it’s Monstropolis’ turn as Mike Wazowski and Sulley take the field on the new Cheer Floor, adding a fun and family-friendly spin to Monday Night Football.
From the Scare Floor to the Football Field
The game takes place inside the Monsters, Inc. Factory, where the classic Scare Floor transforms into the Cheer Floor—a full-sized football field packed with colorful monsters. Mike and Sulley lead their teams in a light-hearted showdown for Cheer Canisters, filled with laughter and excitement.
The setting blends Pixar’s charm with the energy of football, turning game night into an imaginative celebration.
Cutting-Edge Tech Meets Pixar Magic
Every play comes alive through NFL Next Gen Stats, Sony’s Beyond Sports, and Hawk-Eye Innovations. These tools track each player’s movement, animating the game in real time to match the live Monday Night Football broadcast on ESPN and ABC.
Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN’s VP of Graphics Innovation, explained, “Each Funday Football pushes limits by mixing real-time NFL data with animation, giving fans a fresh way to experience the game.”
As a result, every snap, run, and touchdown becomes part of a seamless animated world.
The Monsters Take the Field
During Monsters Funday Football, fans will see familiar faces. Roz serves as the ever-watchful sideline reporter, reminding everyone she’s “always watching.” The Child Detection Agency (CDA) manages challenges and penalties, while floating doors and cheering monsters add to the magic.
Original voice actors Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Bob Peterson return, ensuring each character sounds just as fans remember. Throughout the game, Mike and Sulley jump in for big moments, creating fun surprises that honor the movie’s spirit.
Continuing a Winning Streak
The Funday Football series has earned Sports Emmy Awards and global praise for its creative mix of technology and storytelling. With Toy Story and The Simpsons paving the way, Monsters Funday Football builds on their success, bringing Pixar humor, Disney magic, and NFL action together once again.
