The NFL welcomes back fans for the 2021 season with the 2021 NFL Kickoff presented by EA Sports Madden NFL 22. Four-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter Ed Sheeran will perform live at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa prior to the Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at Raymond James Stadium.

To further celebrate the return of football, the event will take place at 12 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 9 at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

Attractions at the 2021 Kickoff Experience will bring fans closer to the NFL through football-themed interactive games and other activities, including:

  • Appearances by Buccaneers Legends
  • Photo ops with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and all 55 Super Bowl rings
  • NFL Kickoff photo frames
  • Bud Light Legends Bar 

Activities on the Kickoff Experience Stage will highlight the local Tampa Bay community with featured appearances by the Florida A&M University Marching Band, Buccaneers cheerleaders, mascot and drumline, local musicians, NFL Legends and more.

Following Ed Sheeran's performance, fans are encouraged to stay for the 2021 NFL Kickoff Watch Party to view the Cowboys – Buccaneers game live on screens throughout Julian B. Lane Park.

In addition to the live telecast of NFL Kickoff on NBC and livestream on Peacock, the Cowboys-Buccaneers game will be streamed live across all devices via NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, NFL.com, and the NFL app. Additionally, fans on mobile devices can stream the game via the Cowboys' and Buccaneers' mobile properties, Yahoo Sports, and other Verizon Media and NFL properties. Live audio coverage of the game will be broadcast nationally by Westwood One Radio and carried on SiriusXM, TuneIn, and Game Pass. Universo's Spanish language coverage will begin at 8 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports' Football Night in America team will be live on-site at Raymond James Stadium for pregame coverage, beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Al Michaels will call the action alongside Cincinnati Bengals Legend Cris Collinsworth. Michele Tafoya will report from Raymond James Stadium. Three-time Super Bowl referee Terry McAulay is the Sunday Night Football rules analyst.

Fans can visit NFL.com/2021Kickoff for more details on Kickoff festivities in Tampa and download the NFL OnePass app.  

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