Air Mickey: Dunk the Halls Will Return Christmas Day for Another NBA / Disney Mashup Game

Mickey Mouse will be spending Christmas Day on the court again, with Dunk the Halls returning this year.

What's Happening:

• At the ESPN Edge Innovation Conference today, it was revealed that Dunk the Halls will be returning for a second year on Christmas Day next month.
• Held for the first time in 2024, and airing on Disney+, ESPN2 and ESPN+, the first Dunk the Halls NBA game consisted of a special alt-cast of a live game between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks - except this version took place on a digital recreation of Main Street U.S.A., with the likes of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Pluto joining in on the yuletide basketball fun.
• In his review of Dunk the Halls 2024 for Laughing Place, Ben Breitbart felt that the first attempt at the event was a lot of fun, despite some expected technical glitches. He wrote, "I was impressed that the ESPN team didn’t just create a virtual alt-cast and rest on their laurels. They put thought into elements of the broadcast, including fun graphics, basketball explainers, and alternating Disney and NBA trivia."

UPDATE (November 18, 2025): More details about the Dunk the Halls sequel have been revealed!

• This year's Dunk the Halls will feature the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the New York Knicks.
• Just like last time, the virtual game will be hosted on "Main Street, U.S.A.” in Magic Kingdom.
• In addition to last year's crew, Stitch will also be joining the fun this time around.
• 626 will also lead to a new halftime Christmas Parade for the broadcast.
• The alt-cast will be shown on ESPN2, Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and the new ESPN App (via ESPN DTC or pay TV authentication) at noon ET on December 25th.
• Meanwhile, the traditional telecast will air on ABC, ESPN, Disney+, the ESPN App.

Previously:

• It wasn't announced yet if there would be any changes to the format, such as the setting, nor which game would be getting the Dunk the Halls treatment this time. The aforementioned intrepid Ben Breitbart does think the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks game scheduled for Christmas Day, which is being held at Madison Square Garden at 9:00am, is a decent possibility. Could the Knicks be returning to the Disney/NBA animated alt-verse!?
• You can check out more from the ESPN Edge Innovation Conference in our Live Blog from the event.