Toy Story Funday Football: American Football Meets the World of Toy Story

13 September 2023

Introduction

In the era of multimedia convergence, cross-brand collaborations are no longer new. However, the latest initiative involving collaboration between ESPN, The Walt Disney Company and the National Football League (NFL) is something truly unique. We are talking about "Toy Story Funday Football", an event that merges the world of American football with the animated universe of Pixar's Toy Story.

An Unprecedented Event

The event, scheduled for the morning of Sunday, October 1 at 9:30 am ET, will be broadcast on Disney+, ESPN+ and on mobile devices via NFL+. The match between the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars, which will take place at Wembley Stadium in London, will be recreated in real time in Andy's room, the protagonist of the Toy Story saga.

Technology and Gameplay

Thanks to cutting-edge tracking technology powered by NFL's Next Gen Stats and Beyond Sports player tracking data, every action on the field will be replicated in Andy's room. Each Falcons and Jaguars player will have an animated representation on a playing field that mirrors the Toy Story setting.

Thematic Elements and Characters

Not only the gameplay, but also all surrounding aspects of the event will be imbued with the atmosphere of Toy Story. Characters such as Woody, Buzz Lightyear and many others will be visible during the event, participating from the sidelines and in other non-game elements. The announcers will also be animated and their movements will be translated onto the screens through motion-capture technology.

Additional Entertainment

In addition to the action on the field, the program will include a series of demonstrations and educational videos to teach the public the rules of American soccer. A special halftime segment will feature Toy Story character Duke Caboom attempting a motorcycle jump.

Global Distribution

In the United States, the event will be available live on Disney+ and ESPN+, with a replay available shortly after the game ends. Globally, the special presentation will be available in more than 95 markets, spanning five continents, including Brazil, the United Kingdom, Mexico and France.

Conclusion

“Toy Story Funday Football” represents an emblematic example of how the lines between sports, entertainment and animation can be blurred to create a unique experience. It is an event that not only attracts the attention of sports and animated film fans, but also introduces new viewers to the world of American football through the enchantment of animation.