If you’re sitting there with a plate of turkey and wondering who does Dallas play on Thanksgiving Day, you aren't alone. It’s basically a law of nature at this point. The sun rises in the east, the gravy is always a bit too salty, and the Dallas Cowboys are on your TV screen at 4:30 PM ET.
Honestly, the 2025 holiday season gave us one for the history books. On November 27, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium. It wasn't just another game. It was a heavyweight clash between Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes that lived up to every bit of the hype.
Why the Chiefs vs. Cowboys Matchup Was a Big Deal
The NFL knows exactly what it's doing with the schedule. Bringing the reigning powerhouse Chiefs into Arlington for a Turkey Day showdown was a stroke of genius for ratings.
Before this 2025 meeting, these two teams hadn't faced each other on Thanksgiving in exactly 30 years. The last time was 1995. Back then, Michael Irvin was busy tearing up the field with 11 catches for 121 yards. Fast forward to 2025, and the vibe was just as electric. Dallas managed to pull off a 31-28 win in a game that literally came down to the final possession.
If you're looking ahead to future years, the opponent changes, but the slot doesn't. Dallas always plays the afternoon game, usually following the Detroit Lions' early kickoff.
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Who Does Dallas Play on Thanksgiving Day (Historically)?
If you look at the record books, you’ll see one name pop up more than any other: Washington.
The Cowboys have played the Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins and Football Team) 10 times on this holiday. It’s the ultimate NFC East tradition. Dallas has dominated that specific rivalry, going 8-2 against them on Turkey Day.
But the NFL likes to mix it up. Over the years, we’ve seen:
- The Dolphins: 1993 was the infamous Leon Lett "snow game" where a blocked field goal turned into a disaster.
- The Raiders: These games usually end up being high-scoring brawls.
- The Giants: A classic divisional scrap that usually has massive playoff implications.
The Weird Years When Dallas Didn't Play
Believe it or not, there were two years where the Cowboys were snubbed. 1975 and 1977.
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The NFL tried to let the St. Louis Cardinals (now in Arizona) host the game to drum up national interest for them. It flopped. Fans wanted the Cowboys. By 1978, the league realized its mistake and brought the game back to Dallas for good.
The Meaning Behind the Uniforms
You might notice Dallas wearing those crisp white jerseys with the blue shoulders—the "Throwbacks."
Fans love them. They hark back to the 1960s when Tex Schramm first volunteered the team for this holiday slot. He did it as a marketing stunt to get "America's Team" in front of more eyes. It worked better than he ever could have imagined. Today, the Thanksgiving game is often the most-watched regular-season game of the entire year across the whole league.
What to Expect Moving Forward
If you’re planning your 2026 or 2027 holiday, expect a big-name opponent. The league tends to cycle through NFC East rivals or high-profile AFC teams like they did with the Chiefs.
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Pro Tip for Fans: If you're actually planning to attend a game at AT&T Stadium, book your hotel in Arlington at least six months out. Prices triple the week of the game.
To keep up with the next official schedule release, usually in May, you should check the official NFL Schedule page. They usually drop the full calendar right after the draft.
Your Game Day Checklist
- Check the Kickoff: Dallas is almost always the 3:30 PM CST (4:30 PM EST) game.
- Monitor the Halftime Performer: The Salvation Army Red Kettle kickoff always features a massive star (like Post Malone in 2025).
- Set the DVR: You’re going to be eating during the first quarter. Don't miss the opening drive.
The tradition isn't going anywhere. Whether they're playing a divisional rival or a cross-conference titan, the question of who does Dallas play on Thanksgiving Day will always be the start of the holiday season for football fans.
For more specific stats on individual players' performances during these holiday games, you can dig into the Pro Football Reference Thanksgiving database. It's a goldmine if you're trying to win a bar argument about whether Emmitt Smith or Tony Romo was the real King of Thanksgiving.