Carrie Underwood Dazzles in a Stunning Metallic Bodysuit and Delivers an Epic Drum Solo During ‘Sunday Night Football’ Opening—A Show-Stopping Performance That Took Her Iconic Theme Song to New Heights

Carrie Underwood; Photo Courtesy of Sunday Night Football

Carrie Underwood made her triumphant return to NBC’s Sunday Night Football, kicking off the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants with an all-new show open on Sunday evening (Sept. 10).

The dazzling opening included the eight-time GRAMMY winner performing an updated rendition of “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” a play on Joan Jett’s 1988 hit, “I Hate Myself For Loving You.”

The video opens with Underwood being lowered down onto the stage from above. Donning a black metallic bodysuit, the CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee commanded the stage as she belted out the lyrics to the SNF anthem.

Watch Carrie Underwood’s Sunday Night Football Opening Below

Ahead of the debut of the show opening, Underwood and SNF teased that it would feature a “surprise new element,” which appears to be an epic drum solo by Underwood herself.  Later, she tosses the mic into the audience and shows off her drum skills on a CU-branded drum kit that fans first saw on her Denim & Rhinestones Tour earlier this year.

The performance clips of Underwood were filmed at Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas and were interspersed throughout the video, which also included augmented reality highlights displayed across a halo scoreboard.

11th Consecutive Season

This marks Underwood’s 11th consecutive season starring in the Sunday Night Football show opening.

“Once again, the incredible Sunday Night Football team came up with a fresh, exciting visual concept that really gave us a chance to play,” Underwood previously shared in a statement.  “I loved shooting the show open again this year at our home away from home, The Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, and can’t wait for another season of football!”

Carrie Underwood; Photo Courtesy of Danny Ventrella/NBC Sports

“We’re thrilled to work with Carrie to capture a new vision for this season’s show open. It sets the tone for the broadcast and pays tribute to the teams, star players and fans in a fun and dynamic way,” Tripp Dixon, creative director of the SNF show open for each of the past 11 years, added.

Filmed At Resorts World Theatre In Las Vegas

Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, where the performance portions of the SNF opening were filmed, is the home of her ongoing residency, REFLECTION.

The superstar’s electrifying Las Vegas Residency will continue through December of 2023.

September: 20, 22-23, 27, 29-30

November: 29

December: 1-2, 6, 8-9, 13, 15-16

Click HERE to purchase tickets for upcoming shows.

Carrie Underwood; Photo Courtesy of Facebook Video

The eight-time GRAMMY winner’s return to Las Vegas comes on the heels of her wildly successful 43-city U.S. arena tour, The Denim & Rhinestones Tour. The trek made its way around the country beginning last fall and stopped in Nashville with a few surprises in March.

CARRIE’S COUNTRY

Following the tour, Carrie Underwood announced plans to launch her very own SiriusXM Channel, CARRIE’S COUNTRY. She officially launched the new channel on Friday, June 9 when she appeared live and in-person at SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour at the Margaritaville Café in Nashville with SiriusXM host Buzz Brainard.

“I’m thrilled to partner with SiriusXM on my new channel,” Underwood previously said in a press release.  “I can’t wait to welcome listeners into my personal musical universe, sharing my favorite music across all of the genres I love, from classic rock to the latest in country.”

Carrie Underwood; Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for SiriusXMCarrie Underwood; Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Listeners can expect CARRIE’S COUNTRY to be a musical journey that highlights Underwood’s friends, favorite tracks, and influences, from new and classic country, to classic and hard rock, workout hits, gospel, and more. This set of music will be the ideal soundtrack for any exercise routines, road trips and late-night jam sessions. The channel will also unveil stories behind the female songstress’ music, her record-breaking career, and life on the road.

Fans can listen to CARRIE’S COUNTRY on SiriusXM channel 60 as well as on the SXM App.

On top of her return to Vegas and the launch of CARRIE’S COUNTRY, Carrie Underwood also announced plans to release Denim & Rhinestones (Deluxe Edition) with six new tracks. The project, which arrives on September 22, includes the recently released songs: “Take Me Out,” “Out Of That Truck,” “Give Her That.”