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ESPN Celebrates America 250 with Massive July 4 Programming Across Disney Platforms
ESPN is going all out for America’s 250th anniversary, joining The Walt Disney Company’s “Disney Celebrates America” celebration with a packed lineup of special programming, original storytelling, and live events leading up to and on Independence Day.
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The centerpiece of the celebration is a special two-hour edition of SportsCenter airing live on ABC on July 4 at 5 p.m. ET. Hosted by Kevin Negandhi and Christine Williamson, the broadcast will feature live reports from across the country, iconic moments in American sports history, and appearances from ESPN personalities including Chris Berman, Stephen A. Smith, Scott Van Pelt, Joe Buck, Pat McAfee, and more.
One of the highlights for Disney and sports fans alike will be live coverage from a Savannah Bananas game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa, where Randy Scott and Gary Striewski will report from the wildly popular baseball event. Additional reports will come from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, home of next year’s Super Bowl LXI, and Chicago’s Wrigley Field ahead of the Cubs vs. Cardinals matchup.
ESPN.com is also launching “America 250 Road Trips,” a five-day multimedia storytelling series beginning June 29. Each feature follows a different journey across America exploring how sports have helped shape the country’s culture and identity. Topics range from Evel Knievel’s legendary Snake River Canyon jump to the rise of pickleball, the history of boxing, and even the supernatural lore surrounding iconic sports venues.
Throughout the week, ESPN’s daily studio shows will also join the celebration. Get Up will spotlight unforgettable plays and moments from around the sports world, while First Take will revisit some of the most iconic events in American sports history leading up to July 4.
No Independence Day would be complete without one of ESPN’s annual traditions. The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest returns live from Coney Island on July 4 beginning at noon on ESPN2, with coverage of the men’s competition also simulcast on ABC at 12:30 p.m. Joey Chestnut will chase his 18th title while Miki Sudo looks to earn her 12th Mustard Belt and fifth consecutive championship.
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The festivities are part of Disney Celebrates America, a company-wide event that spans ABC, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, National Geographic, FX, Freeform, ABC News, and more. Beginning the evening of July 3, viewers can tune into a 24-hour cross-platform celebration featuring live events, performances, historical storytelling, and reports from all 50 states honoring America’s 250-year history.
Whether you’re tuning in for SportsCenter’s special road trip coverage, cheering on the Savannah Bananas, or watching Joey Chestnut attempt another record-breaking performance, ESPN has plenty in store for sports fans this Fourth of July.
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