Ludacris joins Monday Night Football anthem lineup

ESPN has announced that rapper Ludacris will join Chris Stapleton and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana for the upcoming season of Monday Night Football. The trio will perform a reimagined version of Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight,” which has served as the program's anthem since 2023.

While Stapleton’s vocals and Blackman Santana’s drumming will remain consistent, Ludacris will provide personalized verses for each weekly broadcast. The new rendition is scheduled to debut during Week 1 of the season, featuring the matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs.

This update comes as ESPN expands its NFL coverage, including its first Super Bowl season with a portfolio of 28 games. The broadcast team will continue to include Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, and Laura Rutledge.