ESPN and Omaha Productions announced that Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli will return for its fifth season, further cementing its position as the most-established alternate telecast in sports media. The Emmy-winning series, widely known as the ManningCast, will feature 12 games this season, a mix of new guests, and the signature blend of analysis, humor, and wit that has become synonymous with Peyton and Eli Manning.
The new season kicks off with the NFC North clash between the Vikings and Bears, highlighting the NFL debut of J.J. McCarthy and the second season of 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams under new Vikings head coach Ben Johnson. Peyton and Eli return to the booth for Lions-Ravens in Week 3 and Chiefs-Jaguars in Week 5 before a six-week consecutive stretch that includes matchups such as Commanders-Chiefs (Week 8), Cardinals-Cowboys (Week 9), Eagles-Packers (Week 10), Cowboys-Raiders (Week 11), Panthers-49ers (Week 12), and Giants-Patriots (Week 13).
The regular season concludes with Dolphins-Steelers in Week 15 and the first Week 18 game, with the matchup and kickoff time to be announced. The season finale will air on Monday night of Wild Card Weekend, January 12, maintaining the tradition of ending with a high-profile playoff telecast.
Debuting in 2021, the joint ESPN-Omaha presentation has surpassed 50 episodes and continues to air on ESPN2. Fans can also stream episodes via ESPN’s direct-to-consumer platforms, including the ESPN App and NFL+ on mobile devices. Each broadcast begins shortly after 8 p.m. ET, following the traditional Monday Night Football schedule.
The ManningCast complements ESPN’s standard Monday Night Football coverage, which features Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge, while also covering multiple games in Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 7 before Doubleheader Saturday in Week 18. The network’s 25-game Monday Night Football portfolio offers fans a variety of viewing options throughout the season.
In its first four seasons, Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli has aired 42 telecasts, averaging 1.3 million viewers per show. The series has earned two Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Live Series, while Peyton Manning has twice received Sports Emmys for Outstanding Personality/Event Analyst, most recently in May 2025. Between individual and group accolades, the ManningCast has claimed a Sports Emmy in each of its four seasons, underscoring its status as both a fan favorite and industry-recognized broadcast.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
