ESPN Filmed Its Monday Night Football Intro in Smyrna

Part of ESPN's 2026 Monday Night Football opening, with Chris Stapleton and Cindy Blackman Santana performing "In the Air Tonight," was filmed Aug. 3 at Hollingshead Aviation at Smyrna Airport, with a driving scene on Lowry Street.

The next time Monday Night Football opens with "In the Air Tonight," look closely: part of it was filmed in Smyrna. ESPN shot a portion of its 2026 MNF opening at Hollingshead Aviation at Smyrna Airport, WGNS and the Daily News Journal reported.

What Was Filmed in Smyrna

The opening features country star Chris Stapleton and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana performing a new version of Phil Collins' 1981 song "In the Air Tonight." According to Daily News Journal reporter Cecil Joyce:

• Filming took place mostly on Aug. 3, with Stapleton and Blackman Santana.
• The performance was filmed inside a hangar at Hollingshead Aviation.
• A driving scene was filmed inside Stapleton's vehicle, mounted on a trailer and pulled down Lowry Street between 8 and 11 p.m.
• ESPN first contacted the Town of Smyrna in mid-July.
• The opening plane landing and Ludacris's rap verse were filmed in Atlanta.

"After extensive research, we landed on Hollingshead Aviation in Smyrna. It had everything we were looking for with such a large scale production," ESPN producer Amanda Paschal told the Daily News Journal.

Smyrna's Role

The town supported the shoot with police, fire and utilities staff. "We provided escort services through police and fire department, and our utilities department helped them on site as well," Smyrna Town Clerk and Strategic Program Manager Amber Hobbs said. "They filmed all day at Hollingshead on Aug. 3."

"It was exciting to have ESPN choose Smyrna and Hollingshead Aviation as the location to film a portion of the Monday Night Football opening," Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed said.

About the 2026 MNF Opening

ESPN announced on Sept. 10 that Stapleton and Blackman Santana are back for a fourth straight season on the opening, and that rapper Ludacris joins for the first time. The new opening premiered on Sept. 14 before the Denver Broncos played the Kansas City Chiefs, on ESPN and ABC. This is also ESPN's first season with the Super Bowl, which it will air on Feb. 14, 2027.

"Chris and Cindy have helped make 'In the Air Tonight' an integral part of the Monday Night Football experience over the last three seasons," said Julie McGlone, ESPN vice president of production.

About Hollingshead Aviation

Hollingshead Aviation Services is the fixed-base operator at Smyrna Airport (KMQY), 300 Doug Warpoole Road, Smyrna, providing fuel, hangars, pilot services and flight training, according to AirNav. It was formerly known as Smyrna Air Center. The airport also hosts the Great Tennessee Air Show; see the Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna guide.

For more to do in town, see the Smyrna, TN guide and downtown Smyrna. Where to watch the game locally: the sports bars in Murfreesboro guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was the Monday Night Football intro filmed?

Part of ESPN's 2026 Monday Night Football opening was filmed at Hollingshead Aviation at Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee, including the hangar performance and a driving scene on Lowry Street. The plane landing and Ludacris's verse were filmed in Atlanta.

When was the MNF intro filmed in Smyrna?

The Daily News Journal reported that filming took place mostly on Aug. 3, 2026.

Who is in the 2026 Monday Night Football opening?

Chris Stapleton and Cindy Blackman Santana perform "In the Air Tonight," with Ludacris joining for the first time, according to ESPN.

What is Hollingshead Aviation?

Hollingshead Aviation Services is the fixed-base operator at Smyrna Airport, 300 Doug Warpoole Road, offering fuel, hangars, pilot services and flight training.

Sources: WGNS: ESPN selects Smyrna aviation facility for Monday Night Football opener, Daily News Journal via Yahoo Sports, ESPN Press Room, Hollingshead Aviation and AirNav: KMQY.

*Illustration: AI-generated image of a hangar film shoot; not a photo from the ESPN production.*