Cris Collinsworth Leading NBC’s Broadcasting Team for Super Bowl LX
Cris Collinsworth will serve as the primary color commentator for Super Bowl LX when the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots on February 9, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This marks the sixth time Collinsworth has been selected to announce the championship game for NBC, tying him with Troy Aikman for the most Super Bowl appearances among contemporary broadcasters since his first call in 2005.
The Full NBC Broadcast Lineup
Collinsworth will be joined by play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, who has become the network’s lead voice for major NFL events. The broadcasting team also includes sideline reporters Melissa Stark and Kaylee Hartung, along with former referee Terry McAulay serving as the rules analyst. This ensemble represents NBC’s top tier of super bowl commentators, carefully selected to provide comprehensive coverage of the championship matchup.
The game will be broadcast on NBC and available for streaming on Peacock, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers across the nation.
A Career Spanning Playing and Broadcasting
Before becoming one of the league’s premier super bowl announcers, Collinsworth had a distinguished eight-season career as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared in two Super Bowls as a player during the 1981 and 1988 seasons, alongside legendary quarterbacks Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason. The Bengals fell short both times against the San Francisco 49ers, but Collinsworth’s professional achievements—including Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors in his first three years—established him as one of the game’s elite receivers.
His transition to broadcasting has proven equally successful. Collinsworth has been NBC’s main commentator since 2009, primarily calling Sunday Night Football, and was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in recognition of his expertise and contributions to sports journalism.
Key Storylines for Who Is Calling the Super Bowl This Year
For this year’s championship, Collinsworth and his fellow broadcasters will have multiple compelling narratives to explore. Sam Darnold enters his first season with Seattle after a journeyman career, while New England’s Drake Maye had a breakout rookie campaign after the Patriots finished 4-13 last year under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the former Tennessee Titans coach and Belichick protégé. Both quarterbacks rank among the top 13 in the league’s impact metrics heading into Super Bowl LX.
One unique scheduling note: immediately following the trophy ceremony, Tirico will transition directly to Winter Olympics coverage, hosting Primetime live from Levi’s Stadium before traveling to Milan-Cortina to cover the Games in person—highlighting the demanding schedule of those selected to cover sports’ biggest events.
