Update (August 7): This article has been updated with the latest info about the 2026 NFL season.
Monday Night Football has been dominating primetime television for more than 50 seasons. The weekly football tradition was revolutionary when it started airing Monday nights on ABC in 1970 and has become one of the most watched programs in TV history. Viewers tune in with bated breath to early season games that showcase new talent and hint at the story to come for the rest of the season.
How to Watch Monday Night Football
Although watching MNF from the comfort of your living room isn’t a bad way to go, there’s nothing like grabbing tickets to Monday Night Football and attending live games, hearing the roar of the crowd swell all around you and rooting for your team with thousands of fellow sports fans. The atmosphere is electric and unforgettable.
Monday Night Football on TV
ESPN has been the home of Monday Night Football since 2006. Games will be aired on ABC and ESPN throughout the 2026 NFL regular season. The games usually kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET/5:15 p.m. PT, with a few exceptions. Check local listings for the latest updates.
ESPN subscribers can stream Monday Night Football on their mobile devices.
History of Monday Night Football
Kicking off in September 1970, Monday Night Football has become one of the longest-running primetime network series in history. It’s also one of the highest rated, and often ranks No. 1 among male viewers. So, it’s hard to believe that major networks passed on giving it a home when it was getting off the ground in the ’70s because they didn’t want it to disrupt their primetime entertainment schedules.
Adding a dash of entertainment going beyond the game, MNF has had its fair share of celebrity guests over the years, including musicians Plácido Domingo and John Lennon, former President Bill Clinton, and everyone’s favorite Muppet, Kermit the Frog. In fact, the Muppets did their own rendition of a holiday-themed MNF opening song that aired in 2020.
There have been many legendary moments over the years. MNF has offered sports fans solace during difficult times. Two weeks after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Washington Commanders (known as the Redskins at the time) battled the Green Bay Packers, offering some semblance of a return to normalcy when the NFL returned to its regular schedule.
The highest-scoring MNF game was when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 54-51, totaling a whopping 105 points in 2018. The lowest-scoring game eeked out a paltry three points (twice) when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Miami Dolphins 3-0, without a single touchdown in sight on November 26, 2007. The other occurrence happened on November 14, 1993, when Washington beat Dallas, 3-0.
Another memorable moment came in 2003, when the Indianapolis Colts battled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Colts made an incredible comeback from 35-14 to win 38-35 in overtime, led by soon-to-be first-time league MVP Peyton Manning.
Some of the most common matchups over the course of MNF have been the Denver Broncos vs. the Oakland Raiders (now the Las Vegas Raiders) and the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Commanders, since both are division games between bitter rivals that captivate fans of other teams as well.
When does Monday Night Football start?
The first Monday Night Football game of the 2026 NFL season will take place on Monday, September 14 between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri.
2026 Monday Night Football Schedule
You won’t want to miss a moment of the action in the 2026 MNF season. There’s a reason John Lennon said American football crowds make “rock concerts look like tea parties.”
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