Carrie Underwood Rocks the Stage: A Look at Her 14th Year Opening Sunday Night Football in 2026
Carrie Underwood is set to return for her 14th consecutive year as the performer of the opening musical number for NBC's Sunday Night Football in 2026. This year, fans can expect her performance to have a rock 'n' roll vibe, with a new version of the SNF anthem, "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," inspired by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' "I Hate Myself for Loving You." The visuals will feature shots from a recording studio, a small venue, and a stadium, capturing the essence of rock 'n' roll.
The full open will be unveiled at the 2026 NFL kickoff on Sept. 13, during the Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants game, airing on NBC and Peacock. Throughout her tenure as the show's opener, Underwood has occasionally put her own spin on the performance, such as creating a football-themed version of her Miranda Lambert duet, "Something Bad," and recording her original song, "Game On." However, she mostly sticks to tradition with "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," and even had Joan Jett join her for the NFL's 100th anniversary in 2019.
While the exact figures are undisclosed, it is known that Underwood earns a substantial amount for her role in the NFL's Sunday night games. In 2024, it was estimated that she makes around $1 million per week for her appearances on the show. This high-profile network TV deal requires her to personalize each week's open to feature the teams playing that night, making her compensation quite lucrative.
Aside from her SNF gig, Underwood also serves as a judge on American Idol since March 2025. It remains to be seen if she will return for a third time as a judge for Season 25. With her successful music career and television appearances, Underwood continues to captivate audiences with her talent and versatility.