Larisha Paul
Contact Larisha Paul on X View all posts by Larisha Paul September 10, 2026
Dylan Reeves* Carrie Underwood is ready to rock this Sunday Night Football season. The country singer has opened the show for 14 consecutive years, but will lean deeper into the rock side of the SNF theme song, “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.” In its place, Underwood will tear through the reworked version of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ “I Hate Myself for Loving You” when the show premieres on Sept. 13 on NBC and Peacock.
“This year’s show open welcomes Sunday Night Football into my ongoing rock star fever dream,” Underwood said in a statement. “I love this new version of the track and, once again, Tripp and the incredible team behind the camera brought it to life in a whole new way that captures the spirit of this iconic song and the heart of rock & roll. It’s one of my most favorite opens yet.”
Dylan Reeves* For the open, Underwood performed an energetic set at an intimate venue. The crowd rocked along as she commanded the stage with her band. Tripp Dixon, who has helmed 14 years worth of Sunday Night Football show opens as creative director, said this season’s performance drew “inspiration from Carrie’s deep, well-documented love of rock music – a perfect fit since our Sunday Night Football anthem was born from pure rock & roll.”
