On Christmas Day, Disney, ESPN, and the NBA will debut Dunk the Halls, the first-ever real-time animated NBA game, utilizing Sony’s Beyond Sports technology. Airing live at noon ET, this innovative broadcast features the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs and will be available on ESPN2, Disney+, and ESPN+, with a traditional broadcast on ABC and ESPN.
The game will spotlight players like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama, and Chris Paul, with the virtual action set in Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World® Resort.
Set on Main Street, USA, the reimagined game unfolds amidst Disney magic, featuring appearances by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and more. Iconic Magic Kingdom® landmarks, including Cinderella’s Castle, will be showcased throughout the game, blending basketball with Disney’s festive charm. The storyline follows Mickey Mouse making a special Christmas wish to Santa Claus, bringing NBA players to Magic Kingdom® Park for this one-of-a-kind event.
Using motion-enabled animated representations, Dunk the Halls captures real-time action from the Knicks vs. Spurs game at Madison Square Garden. Sony’s state-of-the-art optical tracking and visualization technology ensure fans experience every move as it happens. Highlights include a Disney character-led slam dunk contest at halftime, festive tree decorating, and even Santa himself operating ESPN’s SkyCam.
The game will be called by ESPN’s Drew Carter and Monica McNutt, joined by sideline reporter Daisy Duck, all animated in the style of the telecast. Leveraging VR and Sony’s Beyond Sports’ Virtual Commentator Technology, the commentators will immerse themselves in the Main Street, USA experience, bringing fans an unforgettable mix of sports and Disney magic.
