NFL FunDay Football. It is the greatest innovation to this great game of football that this country has probably ever established. As America’s #1 FunDay Football Analyst, I see it as my responsibility to educate the general public on this beautiful tradition.
For those who might literally be living under a rock and for some reason aren’t aware of FunDay Football, I’ll set the scene for you.
Every week, millions gather around their televisions to watch their favorite teams and favorite players play this amazing game we call football.
Now, close your eyes.
Imagine your favorite player is now 3-D animated and looks exactly like every single one of his teammates and opposing team players. Now imagine Mike fucking Wazowski comes out onto the field and catches a screen pass from your animated quarterback, turns around and takes it 12 yards for a first down.
Holy shit that was thrilling.
Well, thanks to modern technology and Artificial Intellegence, this is no longer something we can only dream about, but the world we currently live in.
Every year, the National Football League selects one game to receive the prestigious honor of becoming the official “FunDay Football” Game.
Very clever wordplay as it sounds just like “Sunday” or “Monday,” which, for those unfamiliar with the schedule of the National Football League, are days of the week when professional football is commonly played. Really brilliant stuff.
Despite the relatively short existence, We have already seen some instant classics in the time FunDay Football has been around.
Falcons vs Jaguars inside Andy’s Room in the Toy Story Universe (The Bijan Game.)
105 rushing yards from Bijan Robinson on the biggest stage of his young career.
Benals vs Cowboys in Atom’s Stadium in The Simpson’s city of Springfield (The Ralph Wiggum Game.)
Ralph Wiggum’s catch puts Odell Beckham Jr’s to shame.
Eagles vs Chargers in Monstropolis, the Monsters Inc. universe. (The Cameron Dicker Game)
5 field goals, including the game winner, right in the face of James P. Sullivan.
Outside of these pieces of American History, there is also a playoff game every season that has an alternate NICKELODEON broadcast being played in Bikini Bottom. Patrick Star was on play-by-play for Super Bowl LVIII. It’s riveting, but nothing compared to Disney’s FunDay Football.
Now, with the 2026 FunDay Football game still unannounced (usually announced late October) I have taken it upon myself to investigate which matchup will most likely receive the honors, as well as which animated universe will be hosting.
After taking a deep dive into historical data, scheduling patterns, and Disney’s current television strategies, I believe I have cracked the case.
WHICH GAME WILL BE GRANTED FUNDAY FOOTBALL HONORS?
This is NOT a decision the NFL can afford to take lightly.
Each one of the NFL’s 32 teams have spent months preparing in hopes of them being chosen to have their players digitally recreated in a Disney universe. It is extremely unfortunate you can’t see facial expressions of any animated players, because I’m sure this is the happiest any of these players have ever looked.
Unfortunately, only 2 teams get the nod.
Let’s start with examining previous FunDay Football Dates, which give us a pretty good hint on this year’s game.
2023 – October 1 on Sunday Afternoon
2024 – December 9 MNF
2025 – December 8 MNF
Immediately we have one large factor jump out here, being ever since moving to Monday Night Football, the NFL has targeted early December as their game date.
As the league would need time to market the game, we should once again expect a December matchup, leaving us with these possible matchups:
December 7: Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks
December 14: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jackson Jaguars
December 21: New England Patriots vs Kansas City Chiefs
December 28: New York Giants vs Detroit Lions
Taking a close gander at these options, two are absolutely disgusting and the NFL would be doing the nation a massive disservice if chosen.
The Steelers vs Jags and the Giants vs Lions. No shot. Giants Lions could be a great option if healthy as many of these players appeal to the youth, but kids don’t respect Jameis like we do, and this is also a bit too late into the month for me.
As for Steelers Jags, the Jags already had their moment in the spotlight in Andy’s bedroom in 2023. They won 23-7. Congratulations. Hang the banner.
There are organizations who have been waiting years for the opportunity to play football in a fictional children’s universe. Give someone else a shot.
Realistically, I see two legitimate options here.
Cowboys vs Seahawks
And
Patriots vs Chiefs
The Cowboys vs Seahawks is intriguing. Last year, we saw the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles get the nod, giving reason as to why the NFL would go this direction. This is also the exact same time frame as the previous two years.
However, we also have yet to see a team play in more than one FunDay Football Game (I’m guessing to be fair to the rest of the league as everyone is knocking down the door to play in a Disney universe.) Would Goodell recognize America’s Team as the first team to ever play in TWO FunDay Football Games? Would he be willing to risk the outrage from 31 other organizations? Would congress need to get involved?
The other option is Patriots vs Chiefs. This would still provide a team coming off a Super Bowl appearance in the New England Patriots, as well as feature the NFL’s golden boy in Patrick Mahomes. Many suggest it is baffling that Mahomes is yet to achieve FunDay Football status, making him and his Chiefs an obvious possibility.
We’re talking about a multiple-time Super Bowl champion, multiple MVP awards, and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Oh, and his favorite target is married to Taylor Swift. What else does a team need to do to earn Disney’s respect?
Meanwhile, the opponent, the New England Patriots are just as intriguing.
The Pats are also coming off a Super Bowl appearance while historically also being the greatest franchise in the history of the league.
Two of the NFL’s premier organizations. Neither has received a Disney FunDay Football invitation.
The only real argument against this game is the date. December 21 is noticeably later in the league schedule than the previous 2 broadcasts.
BUT if the league wants to prioritize star power and national appeal, I believe this is the best option.
MY OFFICIAL PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS vs KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, DECEMBER 21, 2026.
And now with our matchup settled, we can turn our attention to the question that matters most…
WHICH DISNEY UNIVERSE WILL HOST 2026 FUNDAY FOOTBALL?
Toy Story
Simpson’s
Monsters Inc.
Three iconic Disney universes in which our games have taken place.
Al three are home to incredibly relevant and recognizable characters in entertainment, with unique environments that make them perfect for animated football.
All three also have one important thing in common, they are all cartoons.
This is all important, write that down.
This is by far the toughest factor of the game to predict, but as America’s #1 FunDay Football Analyst, I will not shy away from the difficult questions.
To narrow down our candidates, we must ask ourselves four things:
What other Disney products contain characters/worlds as well known as the previous 3?
What marketing benefits could Disney receive with certain franchises acting as host?
Can this franchise universe actually host a football game?
Is this franchise awesome and well received with iconic characters?
If you ask yourself these questions for every Disney show/movie, I fully believe our next FunDay host is within one of the following franchises:
Pixar Cars
Probably the most well known of this bunch. Lightning vs Mater is an obvious great matchup, especially as Lightning McQueen has the same color scheme as the Chiefs, a theme we saw last year. Plenty of well-known characters that can hop into the game outside of these two, as well as a well-known city to play in in Radiator Springs or inside if a racetrack. They stay relevant whether they are putting out new movies or not.
My only potential knock with Cars: I don’t know how the animators would make cars play football. As big plays usually consist of a character taking place of a player, I just don’t know what would happen if Drake Maye tosses one up to Luigi. Does he catch it with his mouth? Cars don’t have hands. Just hard to mimic gameplay with these characters on the field. AI may not be far along enough for Cars yet.
Phineas and Ferb
I’m intrigued by Phineas and Ferb. Phineas vs Ferb, havoc from Dr. Doofenshmertz throughout the game, constant stimulation from machines and inventions created by Phineas and Ferb throughout. Also worth note that the show has recently been rebooted.
Knock on this one: I think it’s the least iconic of these options. I don’t think there is an iconic world or city they live in. I know Doofenshmertz is always taking over the tri-state area but of where? I simply don’t know where they would play. Tough knock.
The Incredibles
I think it’s only a matter of time before we have FunDay within The Incredibles universe. Well known characters again who could easily be thrown into a game. They aren’t cars so can actually catch. Very well known. HOWEVER, I will just come out and say now I think we are a year away from this one. Next year, Disney is releasing Incredibles 3. Why would you not leverage some marketing for the movie and have Mr. Incredible throwing a touchdown laser to Dash? Seems too easy.
Only argument against The Incredibles is similarly to Phineas and Ferb, I just don’t know the location they would play in.
With all that being said,
MY OFFICIAL PREDICTION:
MY OFFICIAL PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (FERB) vs KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (PHINEAS), DECEMBER 21, 2026 IN THE PHINEAS AND FERB UNIVERSE.
You heard it here first.
Phineas vs. Ferb. Two brothers who have spent their entire lives working together must now set aside their differences as two of the AFC’s finest franchises go head-to-head.
I envision the game taking place inside an enormous football stadium constructed by Phineas and Ferb in their backyard.
Nobody questions how two children obtained the necessary permits, materials, or labor to construct an NFL-caliber facility in a residential neighborhood in just one morning.
Throughout the broadcast, we’ll see appearances from some of the show’s most iconic characters.
Buford is absolutely laying somebody out on defense. Baljeet is analyzing third-down conversion percentages. Isabella is leading the cheerleaders. Candace is on the sideline desperately trying to convince her mother that her brothers have constructed an entire professional football stadium behind their house.
Meanwhile, Dr. Doofenshmirtz has developed his latest invention.
THE FUNDAY-FOOTBALL-BROADCAST-TAKEOVER-INATOR.
Doof hopes to Hijack the national television broadcast and hypnotize every viewer into helping him take over the Tri-State Area.
Millions of Americans are now at risk.
And somewhere underneath the stadium, Perry the Platypus is engaged in a life-or-death battle to save the entire broadcast.
Ladies and gentlemen, that’s television.
If the NFL and Disney have any respect for the American people, they’ll make it happen.
