Who Plays Monday Night Football

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In recent years, the National Football League (NFL) has broadcast one or two regular-season Monday Night Football games each week during the season. Initially, the games were aired on ABC from 1970 to 2005. However, since 2006, ESPN has had the broadcast rights for Monday Night Football. ESPN is available in approximately 8.6 million homes in the US.

The games typically feature prominent NFL teams playing in nationally televised contests to a national viewing audience. The NFL schedules a number of marquee matchup games such as those between historical rivals, highly anticipated matchups, games involving the defending Super Bowl champion, primetime matchups and games involving teams with popular players. The scheduling of Monday Night Football also provides an opportunity to showcase the latest NFL rules, equipment and technology, as well as allowing networks to introduce new game announcers and introduce new, gimmicky production techniques.

Not all of Monday Night Football’s matchups are made up of premier teams; sometimes the NFL will put lesser lights on the national stage. This often gives smaller market teams or teams with new or popular quarterbacks a chance to be seen by a larger viewing audience. While the NFL is aware that normally smaller markets may get a small ratings boost by having their teams appear on Monday Night Football, the primary focus is ensuring a good football game.

Thursday Night Football is another outlet for the NFL to showcase games as part of the regular season. Unlike Monday Night Football, Thursday contests are televised on the NFL Network, which is available in about 72 million homes. Thursday Night Football typically features two inter-conference matchups and usually occur during the middle of the regular season.