NBC is mounting a week-long promotional effort called “Race to Wednesday” to give fans ample notice that its 2026 NFL Kickoff Game takes place on a Wednesday — just the second time in NBC Sports‘ history of football coverage it will do so. Starting Tuesday, a custom NFL Kickoff football will be sent on a journey across the U.S., with personalities from NBC, Bravo and Peacock offering updates along the way. Maria Taylor of “Football Night in America” will be seen informing personnel from the three media properties the Kickoff Game has moved to Wednesday.
The football will make its way from Boston to Seattle, traveling through NFL cities and various fan communities with help from NBC and Bravo talent, content creators, mascots and surprise guests, all appearing in social content “At NBCUniversal, we take major events and turn them into cultural moments,” said Jenny Storms, chief marketing officer, NBCUniversal Television & Streaming, in a statement. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. eastern with a special edition of Football Night in America, followed by kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.
Participants in the “Race to Wednesday” launch call include: Maria Taylor; Mike Tirico; Cris Collinsworth; Craig Melvin; Tracy Morgan; Teresa Giudice; Lisa Barlow; Gizelle Bryant; Alan Cumming; David Alan Grier; Rob Rausch; Corbin Mims; Pat Patriot; Blitz; Marley the Camel; and sundry Minions. Participants in the overall “Race to Wednesday” journey include: “Boston” Rob Mariano; Misty Copeland; Porsha Williams; Rodolfo Rohas and Brandon Marshall; Haley and Hanna Cavinder; casts of NBC’s various “Chicago” series; Anthony Hamilton Jr. and Tatyana Joseph; Cisco Kid & Kenna; Kayce Kirihara. Fans can follow the football’s progress each day across @SNFonNBC, @NBCSports, and participating NBCUniversal social channels throughout the week.
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