ESPN has unveiled a series of new anthems for the 2025-26 college football season to heighten fan excitement, featuring prominent artists including Bailey Zimmerman, Luke Combs, Alex Warren, Mumford & Sons, and Pharrell Williams.
These anthems will be played across ESPN platforms, including ABC, ESPN, and the SEC Network, throughout the season, which kicks off on August 23, 2025.
The standout anthem for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is “Backup Plan,” a high-energy country track by Bailey Zimmerman featuring Luke Combs. Released as a single on May 2, 2025, from Zimmerman’s upcoming second album, Different Night Same Rodeo, the song was written by Jimi Bell, Jon Sherwood, and Tucker Beathard. It debuted during SEC Media Days in Atlanta on July 14, 2025, and is set to be the official anthem for SEC games broadcast on ABC.
The song’s selection reflects the growing cultural crossover between college football and country music, with Combs, a repeat collaborator, having previously contributed “South On Ya” for the SEC in 2021 and a cover of Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream” for ESPN’s 2024 college football promotions. A teaser video for “Backup Plan” was shared on social media, showcasing SEC highlights to build anticipation for the season.
Additionally, ESPN selected “Good People” by Mumford & Sons, produced by Pharrell Williams, as the 2025-26 anthem for the SEC Network. This marks the British folk rock band’s first new release since 2019’s “Blind Leading the Blind.” The song aims to capture the emotional intensity of college football Saturdays.
For broader college football coverage, ESPN chose Machine Gun Kelly’s “Don’t Wait Run Fast” from his forthcoming album Lost Americana as the official anthem for the 2025-26 season. Debuted on The Pat McAfee Show on July 31, 2025, this track has sparked mixed reactions. While some fans appreciate the high-energy vibe, others feel it misses the sport’s traditional essence, with social media posts reflecting disappointment and a preference for country artists like Combs who align with college football’s tailgate culture.