Carrie Underwood will give the Sunday Night Football theme song a rock makeover when she opens NBC and Peacock's coverage for the 15th consecutive year on 13 September 2026. Instead of her usual rendition of "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," she will perform a reworked cover of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' "I Hate Myself for Loving You", reflecting what she called her "ongoing rock star fever dream."

The performance, filmed at an intimate venue with her band, was directed by longtime creative director Tripp Dixon, who has overseen all 14 previous SNF season openers. Dixon said the choice drew on Underwood's well-documented love of rock music, aiming to blend the show's rock-and-roll roots with her high-energy style. The new season had already kicked off on Wednesday, 9 September with the Patriots facing the Seahawks, while the season's first Sunday game sees the Cowboys take on the Giants.