The NFL kicks off its 2018 season with “2018 NFL KICKOFF DRIVEN BY HYUNDAI” – 7:30 PM ETThursday, September 6. Multi-platinum singer/songwriter SHAWN MENDES will perform live before the game at PENN’S LANDING – COLUMBUS BOULEVARD AT MARKET STREET in Philadelphia, it was announced Thursday night during NBC’s national broadcast of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
Shawn Mendes’ performance will be featured in simulcast coverage of the 40-minute pregame show from Philadelphia from 7:30 – 8:10 PM ET on NBC and NFL Network.
AL MICHAELS will call the action alongside CRIS COLLINSWORTH. MICHELE TAFOYA will report from the sideline, and three-time Super Bowl referee TERRY MCAULAY, Sunday Night Football’s new rules analyst, will join Al and Cris in the booth. The Football Night in America team will also be on site from Philadelphia.
The show leads into the season opener between the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles, a rematch of their 2017 NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field (NBC, streamed live via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app across all platforms , the Yahoo Sports app, Westwood One Radio Sports,8:20 PM ET).
The musical performance is part of the celebration to kick off the 2018 season and to honor the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles. This is the 17th consecutive Kickoff celebration to start the season and the 14th time the NFL has saluted the Super Bowl champions with the opening game in their stadium on a Thursday in primetime.
2018 NFL KICKOFF DRIVEN BY HYUNDAI will be executive produced by RICKY KIRSHNER, the Executive Producer of the Super Bowl pregame and halftime shows, and directed by GREGG GELFAND.
In addition to presenting sponsor Hyundai, top-tier sponsors for NFL Kickoff include Bud Light, Microsoft, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Snickers, Verizon and Visa.
To apply for credentials to cover the “2018 NFL Kickoff Driven by Hyundai” concert please email [email protected] with the following information: name, outlet and number of credentials being requested. We accept one application per organization and the application must be submitted by the editor. The credential deadline is August 24th. Media interested in covering the game may apply for credentials through the Philadelphia Eagles.
HISTORY OF NFL OPENING KICKOFF EVENTS
DATE | LOCATION | NETWORK | TALENT | GAME |
9/5/2002 | Times Square, New York | CBS, MTV, VH1 and ESPN | Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesias, Alicia Keys, Eve, Cast of Broadway musical Rent with Joey Fatone of NSYNC | San Francisco at NY Giants (ESPN) |
9/4/2003 | The National Mall, Washington, DC | ABC | Aerosmith, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Britney Spears, Good Charlotte | NY Jets at Washington (ABC) |
9/9/2004 | Gillette Stadium, New England/ Metropolitan Park, Jacksonville | ABC | Boston Pops, Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child, Elton John, Toby Keith, Lenny Kravitz (NE); Jessica Simpson (Jax.) | Indianapolis at New England (ABC) |
9/8/2005 | Gillette Stadium, New England/ Los Angeles Coliseum, LA/Detroit | ABC | Green Day, Santana, Michelle Branch, Ozzy Osbourne, Trisha Yearwood (NE); Kanye West, Maroon 5, Good Charlotte, Rihanna (LA); Rolling Stones (taped from Detroit) | Oakland at New England (ABC) |
9/7/2006 | Heinz Field, Pittsburgh/Miami | NBC | Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride (Anthem) (Pitt.); Diddy, Cassie, Yung Joc, Tego Calderon (Miami) | Miami at Pittsburgh (NBC) |
9/6/2007 | Monument Circle/RCA Dome, Indianapolis | NBC, NFLN | John Mellencamp, Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Hinder, Keyshia Cole & Voices of Unity Youth Choir (Anthem) | New Orleans at Indianapolis (NBC) |
9/4/2008 | Columbus Circle, New York City/Giants Stadium, New Jersey | NFLN, NBC | Natasha Bedingfield, Keith Urban, Usher | Washington at New York Giants (NBC) |
9/10/2009 | Point State Park/Heinz Field, Pittsburgh | NFLN, NBC | Tim McGraw, The Black Eyed Peas, Harry Connick Jr. (Anthem) | Tennessee at Pittsburgh (NBC) |
9/9/2010 | Jackson Square (Parade & Concert) /Superdome, New Orleans | NFLN, NBC | Dave Matthews Band, Taylor Swift, Harry Connick Jr., Colbie Caillat (Anthem) | Minnesota at New Orleans (NBC) |
9/8/2011 | Lambeau Field,
Green Bay |
NFLN, NBC | Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Maroon 5 | New Orleans at Green Bay (NBC) |
9/5/2012 | Rockefeller Center, New York / MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | NFLN, NBC | Mariah Carey, No Doubt | Dallas at New York Giants (NBC) |
9/5/2013 | Baltimore Inner Harbor/ Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver | NFLN, NBC | Keith Urban, Danielle Bradbery (Anthem) | Baltimore at Denver
(NBC) |
9/4/2014 | CenturyLink Field, Seattle | NFLN, NBC | Pharrell Williams, Soundgarden, Ariana Grande (Anthem) | Green Bay at Seattle (NBC) |
9/10/2015 | Gillette Stadium, New England | NFLN, NBC | Ellie Goulding, Train | Pittsburgh at New England (NBC) |
9/8/2016 | Civic Center Park, Denver | NFLN, NBC | Dierks Bentley, OneRepublic, Andra Day (Anthem) | Carolina at Denver (NBC) |
9/7/2017 | Christopher Columbus Park, Boston / Gillette Stadium, New England | NFLN, NBC | Guster, Flo Rida, Maren Morris (Anthem) | Kansas City at New England (NBC) |