The country singer has opened the show for 14 consecutive years, but will lean deeper into rock with a new, reworked version of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ “I Hate Myself for Loving You”
Carrie Underwood is ready to rock this season. The country singer has opened the show for 14 consecutive years, but will lean deeper into the rock side of the SNF theme song, “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.” In its place, Underwood will tear through the reworked version of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ “I Hate Myself for Loving You” when the show premieres on Sept. 13 on NBC and Peacock.
“This year’s show open welcomes Sunday Night Football into my ongoing rock star fever dream,” Underwood said in a statement. “I love this new version of the track and, once again, Tripp and the incredible team behind the camera brought it to life in a whole new way that captures the spirit of this iconic song and the heart of rock & roll. It’s one of my most favorite opens yet.”
Dylan Reeves*
For the open, Underwood performed an energetic set at an intimate venue. The crowd rocked along as she commanded the stage with her band. Tripp Dixon, who has helmed 14 years worth of Sunday Night Football show opens as creative director, said this season’s performance drew “inspiration from Carrie’s deep, well-documented love of rock music – a perfect fit since our Sunday Night Football anthem was born from pure rock & roll.”
To set the tone for the season, Dixon continued, “we’ve worked to match these two rock frequencies of past and present as they come together in Carrie’s high-energy performance. The greatest players and teams in the NFL will take it from there.”
Dylan Reeves*
The 2026 NFL season kicked off between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, Sept. 9, while the Dallas Cowboys will take on the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 13.
