Introduction to the Double Monday Night Football (MNF) Games
In an effort to expand its reach, the National Football League (NFL) has announced that it will feature double-header Monday Night Football games for the 2025 season. These games will be broadcast on both the East and West Coasts through ESPN and ABC.
Background on the New MNF Format
The double-header format for Monday Night Football (MNF) began in late 2023. This new approach comes as part of ESPN and ABC’s extended package of games, aiming to have one game on the East Coast and another on the West Coast.
Disney’s Expanded NFL Game Inventory
When Disney acquired the NFL package in 2021, the league sought to air 23 games per season. With only 18 weeks in a regular season, these additional games were allocated to Monday Night Football with staggered start times.
Burke Magnus’s Vision for MNF
Burke Magnus, ESPN’s Content Organization Leader, explained to The Athletic that the new MNF format aims to determine which game setup attracts more viewers. He mentioned that they will experiment with starting either the ABC or ESPN game first, and by Week 14, both games will be broadcast simultaneously.
Historical Context of MNF
Since the merger of the AFL and NFL in 1970, Monday Night Football has been a crucial event for the league. Initially, ABC held exclusive rights to telecast Monday games, while NBC and CBS aired Sunday matches.
Complete Schedule for Double MNF Games in 2025
All games are scheduled for Eastern Time:
Week 2 (Monday, September 15)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Houston Texans 19
- Los Angeles Chargers 20, Las Vegas Raiders 9
Week 4 (September 29)
- ESPN Exclusive: New York Jets 21 vs. Miami Dolphins 27
- ABC Exclusive: Cincinnati Bengals 3 vs. Denver Broncos 28
Week 6 (October 13)
- Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons (ESPN Exclusive)
- Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders (ABC Exclusive)
Week 7 (October 20)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (ABC & ESPN)
- Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks (ESPN Exclusive)
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why is the NFL implementing double-header Monday Night Football games?
A: The NFL aims to expand its reach and cater to both East and West Coast viewers by broadcasting two games simultaneously on ESPN and ABC.
- Q: What is the history of Monday Night Football in the NFL?
A: Since 1970, when the AFL and NFL merged, Monday Night Football has been a significant event for the league. Initially, ABC held exclusive rights to telecast Monday games, while NBC and CBS aired Sunday matches.
- Q: How will the double-header format work?
A: The double-header format will feature one game on ABC and another on ESPN, with staggered start times in the early weeks. By Week 14, both games will be broadcast simultaneously.
