Disney fans and sports fans around the world share one thing in common – the love for something they enjoy. Sports fans can easily remember their all-time favorite games and plays as if they happened yesterday. Well, Disney fans can often instantly name their favorite character or top attraction, recalling so many unforgettable stories and memories shared with family and friends over the years.
Celebrating the spirit found at the core of both game-winning field goals and interactions with characters inside the parks, Disney, NFL, Champion, and Fanatics have unveiled a new collection at this year’s Fanatics Fest that pairs iconic Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Avengers characters with NFL teams in a way that feels like a perfect match.
At Fanatics Fest NYC, one of the largest celebrations of modern sports fandom, the Disney | Champion NFL Collection made its debut, blending the passion of NFL fans, the nostalgia of classic sports apparel, and the power of Disney storytelling in a new way.
To celebrate the launch, fans got a first look at the collection through the first-ever Disney Fan Draft, where the first eight teams were paired with iconic Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Avengers characters.
The complete collection, featuring all 32 NFL teams and character pairings, will launch in August, with merchandise becoming available on Fanatics.com, NFLShop.com, DisneyStore.com, and Select Lids Locations Nationwide, giving fans new ways to celebrate their favorite teams as the 2026 NFL season approaches.
Here’s a look at the first eight Disney Fan Draft picks.
- Buffalo Bills I Disney’s Beast
- Raw strength and duality — intensity with a loyal edge
- Dallas Cowboys I Disney and Pixar’s Woody
- Character, confidence, and timeless appeal – rooted in classic cowboy iconography
- Las Vegas Raiders I Star Wars’ Darth Vader
- Edge and mystique — a natural alignment of legacy power and presence
- New England Patriots | Avengers’ Captain America
- Heritage and heroism — a modern take on an enduring symbol of leadership and patriotism
- New York Giants I Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph
- Big, bold, and unstoppable — strength balanced with heart
- New York Jets I Disney and Pixar’s Buzz Lightyear
- Speed, flight, and confidence — anchored in aviation roots
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers I Disney’s Captain Hook
- Pirate legacy with attitude — expressive and unmistakable
- Washington Commanders I Disney and Pixar’s Hamm
- Grounded strength — a tribute to “The Hogs”
Behind the collection is Bret Healey, Director, Graphic Design at Disney Consumer Products, one of the creative minds behind the pairings, the collection aesthetic, and someone who approached the project as both a designer and a lifelong sports fan.
Bret grew up surrounded by sports, with both sides of his family connected to fandom and athletics. His dad played football through college, and his earliest memories of sports turned into a lifelong love of teams, cities, fan traditions, and, naturally, fan apparel, of which he is an avid collector.
That passion became the starting point for the Disney | Champion NFL Collection.
Walking through Disney Parks, Bret frequently noticed guests showing off either their Disney fandom or their favorite teams. It sparked a question: What would it take for him, as a fan himself, to wear a Disney product connected to his team? That question changed everything.
Pulling from Disney’s full portfolio of beloved characters, the team’s goal was to create pieces that fans would be proud to wear, whether they were enjoying a visit to the parks, catching the latest film release, or lounging at home on a football Sunday. Every pairing needed a reason, a connection, and a story, and it had to look great.
The creative team looked at franchise history, city identity, team colors, fan traditions, nicknames, famous eras, and the kinds of details fans know by heart before making each pairing. That meant that Bret and his team wanted NFL fans and beyond to discover products that they would ultimately be proud to wear, highlighting their fandom for both of these meaningful cornerstones that have connected so many people around the world for decades.
The process itself was anything but simple. In fact, the team described the creative process as a bit like trying to move the ball against the #1 defense in the league. With a goal of not repeating characters, each pick had to hold its own while still fitting into a much larger picture.
Take the Dallas Cowboys, for example. At first glance, Woody might feel like a clear pick, but take a closer look and you’ll notice that the connection goes deeper than just cowboy meets Cowboys.
One of the designs places Woody into a pose inspired by the original Cowboys logo that adds a layer of sports history and nostalgia that diehard fans will pick up right away.
Some fans may see Beast and the Bills and get it right away. Others may need a minute with Buzz Lightyear and the Jets or Darth Vader and the Raiders. But that initial pause, that second look, and that inevitable group chat debate are all part of the experience.
The Disney Fan Draft was designed to feel playful, passionate, and a little competitive, just like sports fandom itself. The characters themselves offer a playful extension of team identity while celebrating the passion that makes fandom special.
Fanatics Fest brings together athletes, collectors, creators, families, and superfans all under one roof, making it the right place to introduce a collection built around modern sports fandom.
At this year’s event, the first-of-its-kind, on-stage Disney Fan Draft put the first picks on the board, giving fans a first look at the Disney | Champion NFL Collection and the stories behind each team and character pairing. The experience continued at the Disney | Champion Fan Zone, where guests could shop the first drop, get up close with the collection, snap photos, and celebrate alongside Disney characters.
The Disney | Champion NFL Collection is part of a broader collaboration between Disney, the NFL, Champion, and Fanatics, bringing together brands with deep connections to sports, storytelling, and fan culture. The launch also represents another exciting moment in Disney and ESPN’s “Year of the Super Bowl,” a landmark, yearlong celebration building toward ESPN’s first Super Bowl production in February.
The 2027 Super Bowl will be held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 14, and broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and Disney+.
This launch builds on Disney Consumer Products’ growing presence across sports, as Disney continues finding new ways to meet fans where they are. Fans can look forward to additional team-character reveals and more fan experiences as the collection continues to roll out ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
What do you think of Disney | Champion NFL Collection? Are you a football fan? Let us know in the comments.
