Monsters Funday Football: Eagles vs. Chargers Animated NFL Broadcast

The Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers are heading to Monstropolis for a super fun, fully animated NFL game on December 8, 2025, starring your favorite Monsters, Inc. pals!

TL;DR: Quick Scares, Big Cheers with Animated NFL Action

Monsters Meet MNF: Catch the Eagles vs. Chargers game on December 8, 2025, reimagined with Monsters, Inc. characters and a Monstropolis factory setting.
Star-Studded Alt-Cast: Billy Crystal (Mike), John Goodman (Sulley), and Bob Peterson (Roz) reprise their iconic roles, with ESPN's Drew Carter and Dan Orlovsky calling the action live as animated avatars.
Watch Everywhere: For the first time, the animated broadcast hits linear TV (ESPN2, Disney Channel, Disney XD) in addition to Disney+, ESPN App, and NFL+ (mobile).

The Monsters Are Coming to Monday Night Football in a Big Way

Football fans and Pixar aficionados, get ready for an event that’s going to make you scream… with joy! Disney, ESPN, and Pixar are teaming up again to bring us the third annual "Funday Football" alternate telecast, and this time, it’s all about the beloved world of Monsters, Inc. Mark your calendars for Monday, December 8, 2025, because that's when the Philadelphia Eagles will clash with the Los Angeles Chargers in a truly unique way – right inside the Monstropolis factory!

This isn't just any game; it's Monsters Funday Football, a fully animated, real-time broadcast that transports the NFL action straight into the vibrant, silly, and sometimes spooky world of Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan. Imagine Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert battling it out for "Cheer Canisters" instead of points, with actual monsters cheering them on from the sidelines. It's an innovative blend of live sports and cartoon magic, designed to engage everyone from die-hard football fanatics to casual Disney viewers and, most importantly, the younger generation of fans.

Prepare for Monstrously Fun Football Action and Character Cameos

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So, what exactly can you expect when the Eagles and Chargers take the "Cheer Floor" (a playful twist on the iconic Scare Floor)? For starters, Mike Wazowski will be rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles, while Sulley will be backing the Los Angeles Chargers. These animated giants won't just be mascots; they'll be part of the action, subbing in for key plays and helping guide their teams to victory in their own unique monster fashion. Instead of traditional "scream canisters," the teams will be competing to fill "Cheer Canisters," adding a fun, movie-themed objective to the game.

The immersive experience goes beyond just Mike and Sulley. The entire setting will be transformed into the Monsters, Inc. building, complete with familiar sights from Monstropolis. Keep an eye out for floating bedroom doors hovering above the field, showcasing fans watching the game from their homes globally – a charming nod to the film's portal travel. You'll also spot the always-watching Roz serving as the sideline reporter (because she is watching, always watching!), and even the Child Detection Agency (CDA) will be on hand for "clean-up duty," monitoring the crowd and clearing penalty and challenge flags. It's going to be packed with easter eggs and delightful details that fans of the film will absolutely love.

Who's Roaring on the Field and in the Broadcast Booth for Funday Football?

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This special broadcast isn't just about cool animation; it’s also bringing back some legendary voices. We’re talking about the original cast members who made these characters so memorable! Billy Crystal will reprise his role as the wisecracking Mike Wazowski, and the incomparable John Goodman will return as the lovable big blue monster, Sulley. And, of course, Bob Peterson will be back as the slow-moving, ever-observant Roz, ready to deliver her signature deadpan lines.

But the fun doesn't stop there. ESPN's own Drew Carter and Dan Orlovsky will be calling the game live, not from a traditional booth, but as animated versions of themselves, right inside the virtual Monstropolis stadium! They’ll be using VR and Sony’s Beyond Sports Virtual Commentator Technology to experience the game as if they're standing on the Cheer Floor themselves, reacting to the animated action in real-time. Katie Feeney will also join as a social media correspondent, bringing her unique insights to the animated broadcast. And in a delightful surprise, ESPN legend Chris Berman is set to make his Funday Football debut with a special animated segment, adding another layer of excitement for long-time sports fans. The halftime show promises even more monster mayhem with Mike & Sulley's Cheer Canister Competition, plus fun prerecorded segments featuring Eagles and Chargers players interacting with the Monsters, Inc. characters.

"Each iteration of Funday Football has pushed the boundary of what’s possible in sports technology. By blending real-time NFL data and tracking with cutting-edge animation, we’re transforming the way fans experience an NFL game."

— Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN VP of Graphics Innovation

More Than Just a Game: A Tech Marvel and the Future of Sports Viewing

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What makes Monsters Funday Football truly remarkable is the incredible technology powering it all. This isn't pre-rendered animation; it's happening live! The magic is made possible through a collaboration between ESPN and Sony’s Beyond Sports, utilizing state-of-the-art data and tracking. Real-time player movement from NFL Next Gen Stats and Hawk-Eye optical tracking cameras are combined, and this data is then visualized as Monsters, Inc. characters by Sony’s Beyond Sports. Their proprietary technology ensures that the animated characters seamlessly integrate into the live action, maintaining authentic athletic movements while adapting to each character's unique size and shape.

This innovative approach isn't new for Disney and ESPN. It builds on the success of previous animated alt-casts like the award-winning Toy Story Funday Football in 2023 (which even snagged three Sports Emmys, including for Technical Achievement!) and The Simpsons Funday Football in 2024. These productions are part of a broader, multi-year deal Disney inked with Sony’s Beyond Sports, extending through at least the 2026-27 sports calendar year. This partnership isn't limited to the NFL; it will expand to include animated alt-casts for NHL, NBA, and, for the first time ever, WNBA games. The goal, according to Beyond Sports CEO Sander Schouten, is clear: attract and engage younger audiences and casual fans, ensuring the future of sports viewership. ESPN's own research backs this up, showing that more children watch these telecasts with an adult, promoting valuable co-viewing experiences.

The dedication to these projects is immense; for example, The Simpsons Funday Football took nearly a year to produce! This commitment showcases how technology can transform a live game into a fully immersive world, providing fans with an additional, exciting way to consume sports. With ESPN broadcasting the Super Bowl for the first time in February 2027, it's not unreasonable to imagine that they might be working towards an animated alt-cast for that monumental event in the future.

Where and When to Catch All the Monster Mayhem

Get ready for an unprecedented level of access to Monsters Funday Football! This year, Disney and ESPN are making it easier than ever for fans to tune in. The special alternate broadcast of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Chargers game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 8, 2025. Unlike previous years where these alt-casts were primarily streaming-only, this one is hitting linear television as well, greatly expanding its reach.

Here’s where you can catch all the animated football action:

Linear TV: ESPN2, Disney Channel, Disney XD
Streaming: Disney+, ESPN App, NFL+ (on mobile devices)

For international fans, Funday Football will also be available live on ESPN platforms and/or Disney+ in regions including Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia & New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Canada (via TSN+). If you miss the live broadcast, don’t worry – Video on Demand (VOD) will be available on Disney+ shortly after the game concludes.

And for those who prefer the traditional football experience, fear not! The standard Monday Night Football broadcast featuring Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge will still air live on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes, and will also stream on the ESPN App. So, no matter your viewing preference, December 8th promises to be a monstrously fun night of football magic for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions About Monsters Funday Football

When is Monsters Funday Football airing? The special animated broadcast is scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2025, starting at 8 p.m. ET. Which NFL teams are playing in the Monsters, Inc. game? The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in this animated version of the Monday Night Football matchup. Where can I watch the Monsters Funday Football broadcast? You can watch it on ESPN2, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney+, the ESPN App, and NFL+ (for mobile users). It will also be available internationally on various ESPN and Disney+ platforms. Will the original voice actors from Monsters, Inc. be involved? Yes! Billy Crystal (Mike Wazowski), John Goodman (Sulley), and Bob Peterson (Roz) will all reprise their roles with prerecorded voiceover work for the alt-cast. Is this a full NFL game, or just highlights? This is a full, real-time alternate broadcast of the entire NFL game, with live player movements transformed into animation and integrated with the Monsters, Inc. world and characters. Sources