This one is big. Disney+ has experimented with alternative NFL telecasts for years — Toy Story Funday Football, Monsters Funday Football, even The Simpsons — but this is different. This is the first time a traditional, full Monday Night Football broadcast streams directly on Disney+. No alternate version, no playful overlay, just Monday Night Football… on Disney+.
It’s a significant step in Disney’s streaming strategy and a preview of how sports will blend into the company’s direct-to-consumer future. And for fans? It means one more way to catch one of the biggest games of the week — included with your Disney+ subscription.
A First for Disney+
On December 22 at 8 p.m. ET, the Monday Night Football matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts will stream live on Disney+, simulcast on ABC, and remain available on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and the ESPN App.
This marks the first traditional NFL game ever available to standalone Disney+ subscribers — no bundle required.
While Disney+ has hosted animated alternate telecasts before, this is the first time the platform carries the game itself, exactly as seen on ESPN.
What This Means for Disney Fans
Disney+ continues evolving beyond films and series. With live sports expanding — NFL, NHL, MLB, college football, NBA, and more — the platform moves closer to becoming a full entertainment hub.
This MNF milestone also hints at future possibilities:
- More simulcasts
- More standalone sports streams
- Deeper ESPN / Disney+ integration
For now, it’s a simple win: football on the service many Disney fans already watch daily.
