ESPN campaign encourages fans in Australia and NZ to ‘Have a Siiiiick Day’ for Super Bowl LX

January 29 2026, 8:30 am | BY Kim Shaw | No Comments

ESPN has launched a new tongue-in-cheek campaign encouraging fans in Australia and New Zealand to ‘Have a Siiiiick Day’ for Super Bowl LX, putting a fresh spin on the long-running Super Bowl Sickie tradition.

 

With Super Bowl LX falling on a Monday (February 9) in Australia and New Zealand, ESPN is urging viewers to get creative so they don’t miss the NFL’s biggest event of the year. The campaign playfully invites fans to take the day off — with their employer’s blessing — to enjoy what ESPN promises will be the ‘siiickest’ Super Bowl yet.

Fronted by ESPN star Stephen A. Smith, the campaign leans into the cultural ritual of the Super Bowl Sickie, encouraging fans to fully embrace Super Bowl Monday. In the campaign, Smith calls on NFL fans to enjoy a ‘Siiiiick Day’, declaring: “Australia – you work hard all year. Take one day off for greatness – Super Bowl Monday is going to be a siiick day.”

Super Bowl LX will see the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks, capping off one of the most dramatic NFL seasons on record. The event will also feature the Super Bowl Half-Time Show with Bad Bunny, alongside the usual spectacle of celebrity appearances and must-watch commercials.

Super Bowl LX will be broadcast live on ESPN from 10.30am AEDT on Monday February 9 and will be available across Disney+, Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ. The 2026 game marks the first time the Super Bowl will be available to stream on Disney+ in the region.

ESPN’s exclusive coverage will be led by Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick, supported by comprehensive live programming throughout Super Bowl week from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Super Bowl LX Week programming on ESPN will include the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games, NFL Blitz at the Super Bowl, daily editions of NFL Live, the NFL Blitz Super Bowl Countdown show, and live episodes of ESPN’s NFL Aftrs, hosted by Laurie Horesh and Jimmy Smith, streaming across ESPN’s social and YouTube channels.

Super Bowl LX airs live on ESPN from 10.30am AEDT on Monday February 9.

ESPN notes it is not encouraging viewers to breach their employment contracts by taking a ‘siiiiick day’.