Carrie Underwood Previews Her 13th Sunday Night Football Opening Theme

Are you ready for Sunday night? Football season is officially back, and with it comes one of the most beloved traditions in sports television: Carrie Underwood’s Sunday Night Football opening performance.

The NFL season kicks off tonight, Thursday, September 4, with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the Philadelphia Eagles. But for millions of fans, the real start of football season doesn’t feel official until Sunday night.

On September 7, NBC’s Sunday Night Football returns with the Buffalo Bills vs. the Baltimore Ravens—and along with the action on the field, viewers will be treated to the debut of Carrie Underwood’s brand-new opening video.

Carrie’s 13th Year of Sunday Night Football

2025 marks Carrie’s 13th consecutive year performing the SNF opening theme, and once again she’ll deliver her powerhouse version of “Waiting All Day For Sunday Night.”

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 13 years,” Carrie reflected in a behind-the-scenes interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “It’s just very glam. It’s always great, it’s always exciting, it’s always fun.”

Fans clearly agree. Carrie says she constantly hears from viewers who tell her how much they love her SNF intro—and sometimes even kids chime in: “That’s my son’s favorite song,” one fan told her.

A Modern Tradition

Much like Hank Williams Jr.’s “rowdy” Monday Night Football anthem of the ’90s, Carrie’s Sunday Night Football performance has become part of the NFL tradition itself. For more than a decade, her opening has been the unmistakable signal that Sunday night has arrived.

And it’s not just about the music—Sunday Night Football has reigned as primetime’s No. 1 show for 14 straight years, averaging more than 21 million viewers per week during the 2024–2025 season.

The Teaser

NBC has already released a sneak peek of this year’s opening, showing Carrie bringing her signature glam energy to the screen. While fans will have to wait until kickoff to see the full performance, the teaser makes it clear: the 2025 season will open in style.

So whether you’re tuning in for the Bills vs. Ravens matchup—or just waiting to sing along with Carrie—Sunday night can’t come soon enough.