It is the one constant in an ever-changing NFL landscape. Every single November, as the smell of turkey fills kitchens across America, the Detroit Lions take the field. People always ask who do the Lions play Thanksgiving this year, but the more interesting question is usually why they are playing at all, especially during the decades when the team struggled to find the win column.
For the 2026 season, the NFL has scheduled a high-stakes divisional showdown. The Detroit Lions will face the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field. This isn't just a random scheduling fluke; it’s a calculated move by the league to capitalize on one of the most heated rivalries in the NFC North.
The 2026 Thanksgiving Tradition: Lions vs. Packers
This year's matchup is a big one. Honestly, the Lions-Packers rivalry is the "bread and butter" of the NFC North. When you look at who do the Lions play Thanksgiving, you often see the Packers or the Bears because the league knows these games draw massive regional ratings.
The 2026 game kicks off the triple-header at 12:30 PM ET. It’s the appetizer for the day. While the Cowboys usually take the afternoon slot and a rotating pair of teams handles the primetime night cap, Detroit remains the undisputed morning king. Ford Field will be packed. If you've never been to downtown Detroit on Thanksgiving, you’re missing out on a specific kind of electric energy that survives even the coldest Michigan winters.
Why Does Detroit Always Play on Thanksgiving?
It feels like a birthright now, but it started as a desperate marketing gimmick. Back in 1934, George A. Richards bought the Portsmouth Spartans and moved them to Detroit. They were the "new kids" in a baseball town. The Tigers were the kings of the city. Richards needed a way to get people to actually care about football.
He decided to play on Thanksgiving. He also happened to own WJR, a powerful radio station that was an NBC affiliate. Because of his connections, he convinced the network to broadcast the game across 94 stations nationwide. The Lions lost that first holiday game to the Chicago Bears, but the tradition was a massive hit. They sold out the stadium and had to turn away thousands of fans at the gates. Aside from a gap during World War II (1939–1944), the Lions have played every single year since.
Is the Tradition Fair?
Every few years, fans of other teams start complaining. You'll hear sports talk radio hosts in cities like Philadelphia or Seattle arguing that the "tradition" is outdated. They think the Lions shouldn't get a guaranteed home game every year, especially during the lean years when the team was consistently finishing 3-13 or 4-12.
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But the NFL is built on ritual. Taking Thanksgiving away from Detroit would be like taking the Rose Bowl away from Pasadena. It just doesn't sit right with the history of the league. Plus, the Lions are currently in a "Golden Era" under the leadership of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. They aren't the "Same Old Lions" anymore. They are a powerhouse. Having a Super Bowl contender in the early Thanksgiving slot is exactly what the networks want.
Memories That Define the Holiday
When you think about who do the Lions play Thanksgiving, certain games immediately jump to mind. Who could forget the 1962 "Thanksgiving Day Massacre"? The Lions absolutely destroyed the undefeated Green Bay Packers, sacking Bart Starr 11 times. It remains one of the greatest defensive performances in the history of the sport.
Then there’s Barry Sanders.
For a generation of fans, Thanksgiving meant watching number 20 make world-class defenders look like they were wearing roller skates on a patch of ice. In 1997, Sanders torched the Chicago Bears for 167 yards and three touchdowns. It didn't matter if the Lions were winning the division or crashing out of the playoff race; Barry was must-see TV. He turned the Thanksgiving game into a national showcase for individual greatness.
The Modern Era and Recent Matchups
Lately, the NFL has leaned into divisional games for the holiday. We've seen a lot of Lions vs. Vikings and Lions vs. Packers over the last decade. It makes the logistics easier for the visiting team, sure, but it also cranks up the intensity.
- 2023: The Packers upset the Lions in a game that shocked the gambling world.
- 2024: The Lions faced the Chicago Bears in a classic "old school" NFC North battle.
- 2025: A non-divisional clash against an AFC opponent to mix things up.
- 2026: Back to the roots with the Green Bay Packers coming to town.
The Strategy: How the Lions Handle the Short Week
Playing on Thursday is a nightmare for coaches. Basically, you play a full-speed professional football game on Sunday, and then you have about 72 hours to recover, install a completely new game plan, and get your body ready to do it again.
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Most teams hate the short week. The Lions, however, have it down to a science. Because they do this every year, their training staff and nutritionists have a "Thanksgiving Protocol" that starts the moment the Sunday game ends. They don't do full-contact practices on Monday or Tuesday. It’s all mental. Walkthroughs. Film study. Cold plunges.
What to Expect for the 2026 Game
Green Bay is coming into Ford Field with a young, aggressive roster. Jordan Love has matured into a top-tier quarterback, and the Packers' defense is built to stop the run—which is exactly what the Lions love to do.
Detroit's offensive line remains the heartbeat of the team. If you’re watching the game while mashing potatoes, keep an eye on the trenches. The Lions win when they can bully people at the line of scrimmage. If the Packers can't stop the duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, it’s going to be a long afternoon for the cheeseheads.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. The Packers' Secondary: St. Brown is a volume monster. He thrives in the dome environment of Ford Field.
- Aidan Hutchinson's Pressure: The Lions need to rattle Jordan Love early. If Love gets comfortable, he can pick a secondary apart.
- The "Dan Campbell Factor": Expect a fake punt. Expect a fourth-down gamble. Campbell treats Thanksgiving like his personal Super Bowl.
Planning Your Thanksgiving Viewing
If you’re trying to coordinate dinner, remember that the Lions game starts early.
The pre-game festivities usually begin around 11:00 AM ET, with kickoff shortly after 12:30 PM. This usually means the game ends right around 3:30 or 4:00 PM ET. It’s the perfect window to transition from the "football phase" of the day into the "food coma phase."
For cord-cutters, the game is typically broadcast on FOX or CBS (it rotates), but it’s always available on NFL+. If you're using an antenna, you're golden. Local Detroit fans will tell you that the city basically shuts down for those three hours. It’s a secular holiday where the Lions are the high priests.
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Beyond the Game: The Detroit Community
The Thanksgiving game is also a massive charitable event. The Lions use the platform to highlight food insecurity in Southeast Michigan. It’s a reminder that while we're all arguing about pass interference calls or missed field goals, there are people in the community who need a hand. The "Turkey Leg" award given to the MVP of the game is iconic, but the work the team does off the field during the holiday week is what really matters to the locals.
Preparing for the 2026 Season
As we look forward to the 2026 season, the Lions are projected to be one of the favorites in the NFC. This makes the Thanksgiving game even more critical for playoff seeding. A win on a national stage can provide a massive momentum boost heading into the cold December stretch.
If you're planning on attending, get your tickets early. Ford Field has become one of the loudest venues in the league, and Thanksgiving tickets are the hardest ones to snag. People plan their entire family reunions around this four-hour block of football.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just someone who watches because it’s a tradition, the Lions on Thanksgiving is a piece of Americana that isn't going anywhere. It’s gritty, it’s loud, and it’s uniquely Detroit.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official NFL schedule release in May to confirm the exact broadcast network (FOX vs. CBS) for the 2026 Lions-Packers game.
- If you're traveling to Detroit, book hotels in the Midtown or Corktown areas at least six months in advance, as rooms sell out due to the parade and the game.
- Monitor the injury reports starting in mid-November; the short turnaround from Sunday to Thursday means even minor "tweak" injuries can keep star players out of the Thanksgiving lineup.
- Sync your fantasy football lineups early. Thursday games are notorious for "sit/start" dilemmas, and you don't want to be the person who forgets to activate their Lions players before the 12:30 PM kickoff.