what channel will the super bowl be on 2026

Deyi Xiabing

3 min read

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13-03-2025

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What Channel Will the Super Bowl Be On in 2026? Unlocking the Broadcasting Puzzle

The Super Bowl. The pinnacle of American football, a cultural phenomenon that transcends the sport itself. Millions tune in each year, making it one of the most-watched television events globally. But with the rotating broadcast rights among major networks, a crucial question arises each year: what channel will host the spectacle? For 2026, the answer isn't immediately obvious, requiring a deeper dive into the complex world of broadcasting rights and NFL contracts.

Understanding the Broadcast Rotation

The NFL's broadcasting rights are a lucrative and meticulously planned affair. Instead of awarding the Super Bowl to a single network perpetually, the league strategically distributes the rights among its broadcast partners over a cycle of several years. This ensures a broader reach and prevents any one network from dominating the landscape. This rotation involves a carefully negotiated agreement between the NFL and major television networks including CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN/ABC.

Currently, the broadcast rights are divided amongst these networks, creating a complex schedule where each network gets a turn to broadcast the Super Bowl, and other significant games, over a period that is typically several years. This ensures fairness and maximizes revenue for the league. Analyzing past broadcasts helps us predict the future. By examining the recent history of Super Bowl broadcasts, we can make an educated guess about which network will air Super Bowl LVII (2026).

Analyzing Past Super Bowl Broadcasts

Let's briefly examine recent Super Bowl broadcasting history:

• Super Bowl LVII (2023): Fox
• Super Bowl LVI (2022): NBC
• Super Bowl LV (2021): CBS
• Super Bowl LIV (2020): FOX
• Super Bowl LIII (2019): CBS
• Super Bowl LII (2018): NBC
• Super Bowl LI (2017): FOX

This pattern reveals a cyclical distribution, although not entirely predictable year-to-year. While there isn't a perfectly clear, repeating pattern, the rotation generally aims for a relatively even distribution amongst the major networks.

Predicting the 2026 Broadcast Network

Based on the cyclical nature of the Super Bowl broadcast rights and the recent distribution, a reasonable prediction for Super Bowl LVII in 2026 would be CBS. However, this is purely speculative based on observing past trends and doesn't account for any potential changes in negotiations or unexpected circumstances.

Factors Complicating the Prediction

Several factors could potentially alter this prediction:

• Negotiated Agreements: The NFL and its broadcast partners regularly renegotiate their agreements. These negotiations could result in adjustments to the broadcast schedule, altering the expected rotation. A network might secure rights for more Super Bowls or fewer than anticipated, depending on the outcome of these negotiations.

• Streaming Services: The rise of streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, which secured exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football, is significantly impacting the landscape of sports broadcasting. This introduction of a significant streaming player adds another layer of complexity to the predictions, as the NFL might choose to integrate streaming services more prominently into its future broadcast plans.

• Unexpected Circumstances: Unforeseen circumstances, such as major network mergers or unexpected financial shifts, could impact the broadcasting plans. These factors would introduce unexpected variables that make predicting the broadcast channel challenging.

• Viewership Data: While not a direct influence on the pre-determined broadcast rotation, viewership data plays a significant role in the long-term negotiation strategies between networks and the NFL. Consistently higher viewership might give a network an advantage in future negotiations for Super Bowl rights.

Beyond the Network: Streaming and Multi-Platform Access

Even knowing the network broadcasting the Super Bowl doesn't fully address the question of how people will watch it. Increasingly, viewers have multiple options. In addition to traditional cable television, the game will likely be accessible through:

• Network websites and apps: Most major networks offer live streaming through their official websites and dedicated apps. This allows viewers with internet access to watch the game without traditional cable subscriptions.

• Streaming services: Depending on the network and the specific deals, the Super Bowl could be available through various streaming platforms. These partnerships are continuously evolving, making predictions even more uncertain.

• Cable and satellite providers: This traditional method will undoubtedly remain a significant avenue for viewing the Super Bowl for many years to come.

Conclusion: The Elusive 2026 Super Bowl Channel

While a reasonable prediction based on past trends suggests CBS might broadcast Super Bowl LVII in 2026, this should be considered a tentative guess. The constantly evolving landscape of television broadcasting, the impact of streaming services, and the potential for unexpected changes in negotiations all contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the precise channel.

The best approach for football fans eager to watch the 2026 Super Bowl is to keep an eye on official NFL announcements closer to the event. As the date approaches, the NFL and the chosen broadcasting network will publicly announce their plans, clearing up any speculation. Until then, the suspense remains a significant part of the buildup to this major sporting event. Keep your eyes peeled for official announcements in the years leading up to the 2026 Super Bowl!