Christmas used to belong to the NBA. For decades, the logic was simple: families open presents in the morning, eat turkey in the afternoon, and watch LeBron James or Steph Curry hit threes until they fall asleep on the couch. But things changed. The NFL looked at the massive TV ratings and decided it wanted the whole pie. Now, the question of who plays football Christmas day has become the single most important thing for fans to track before they even buy their flight home for the holidays.
It's a power move. Honestly, it’s a bit of a scheduling nightmare for the players, but for the fans? It’s a goldmine.
The 2025-2026 Christmas Slate: A Massive Shift
If you’re looking for the specific matchups this year, you’ve gotta look at how the league handled the calendar. Because Christmas falls on a Thursday in 2025, the NFL had a choice. Usually, Thursday Night Football is a single game on Amazon Prime. But the league isn't doing "usual" anymore. They realized that people will watch regardless of what day it is.
For the 2025 holiday, the NFL has leaned into a tripleheader format. While the official schedule release usually drops in May, the league has already signaled that their partnership with Netflix is the new frontier. Last year’s games—Chiefs vs. Raiders and Ravens vs. Niners—shattered records.
Basically, expect the heavy hitters. You aren't going to see the bottom-feeders of the NFC South here. The league wants Patrick Mahomes. They want Joe Burrow. They want the Cowboys, even if Dallas fans are already stressed about the playoffs by then.
Why Netflix is Changing the Game
Netflix paid a massive premium to host these games. It’s part of a three-year deal that runs through 2026. This isn't just about broadcasting a sport; it’s about a global platform trying to prove it can handle live traffic. We saw the hiccups during the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight. The NFL is a much bigger beast.
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If you're wondering who plays football Christmas day, keep an eye on the "Netlfix Two." Usually, the streamer gets two games, while a third might land on a traditional network like Fox or NBC to keep the old-school broadcasters happy. It's a weird tension. The NFL is dating the streamers but still married to the networks.
The Logistics of Holiday Football
Imagine being an offensive lineman and telling your kids you have to fly to Green Bay on Christmas Eve. It sucks. Ryan Clark and other former players have been vocal about this for years. They hate it. But the money is too loud to ignore.
The league tries to mitigate this by scheduling teams that played on the previous Thursday or Saturday. They call it "bracketed scheduling." It’s supposed to give players enough recovery time. However, the reality is that a Wednesday or Thursday Christmas game often feels like a "short week" on steroids.
- Player Health: The biggest concern. Short rest leads to soft tissue injuries.
- Travel Chaos: Winter storms in places like Buffalo or Chicago can turn a three-hour flight into a twelve-hour ordeal.
- The "Home" Advantage: Teams playing at home on Christmas have a massive psychological edge. They get to see their families in the morning. The visiting team is stuck in a Marriott eating buffet ham.
What History Tells Us About These Matchups
The NFL didn't always play on Christmas. In fact, they used to avoid it like the plague. There was an old-school belief that it was "sacrilegious" to compete with the holiday. That changed in 1971 with a double-overtime thriller between the Dolphins and the Chiefs. It was the longest game in NFL history. People loved it.
Then, the league got scared. They didn't play another Christmas game for 18 years.
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Fast forward to now, and it's a staple. The league has learned that the "naughty" teams (the ones who play physical, smash-mouth football) actually pull better ratings on the holiday than the "nice" teams with high-flying offenses. There is something about a cold, snowy game in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia that just feels right when you're wearing a tacky sweater.
The NBA vs. NFL Rivalry
Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner, has a problem. The NBA used to own the day. Now, they're getting lapped. When the NFL puts a powerhouse game like Eagles vs. Giants on at the same time as a Lakers game, the NFL wins. Every. Single. Time.
This shift has forced the NBA to move their "marquee" games to different time slots. It's a total surrender. The NFL is the apex predator of American media.
Predicting the Future: Who Plays Football Christmas Day in 2026?
Looking ahead to 2026, Christmas lands on a Friday. This is a dream scenario for the league. A Friday Christmas means they can treat it like a "Black Friday" event.
You should expect the league to prioritize divisional rivalries. Why? Because by late December, those games actually matter for the standings. Nobody wants to watch a 4-10 team play a 5-9 team while they're eating dessert. We want stakes. We want Jim Nantz or Kevin Burkhardt screaming about playoff seeds while we peel oranges.
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How to Plan Your Viewing
If you're trying to figure out who plays football Christmas day so you can plan your dinner, here is the brutal truth: don't count on the game being over in three hours.
With the move to streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, the commercial breaks are getting... creative. Plus, the halftime shows are turning into mini-Super Bowls. Last year, having Beyoncé perform was a massive signal that the NFL wants the non-sports fans to tune in too.
- Check your subscriptions early. Don't be the person trying to find your Netflix password five minutes before kickoff.
- Sync the ovens. If the game starts at 4:30 PM ET, your main course needs to be out by 4:00 PM.
- Data Usage. If you’re at Grandma’s house and she still has DSL internet from 2004, you aren't streaming 4K football. Plan accordingly. Use your hotspot if you have to.
The Real Impact on the Standings
By the time Christmas rolls around, most teams have played 15 games. The margin for error is zero.
A win on Christmas often clinches a division or a wildcard spot. A loss? It’s a long, depressing flight home and a very awkward post-game press conference. Coaches like Andy Reid or John Harbaugh are notoriously good at keeping their teams focused during the holidays. Other teams crumble under the distraction.
Honestly, the "distraction factor" is the most underrated part of holiday football. Some players handle the "noise" of the season better than others. You want to bet on the veterans here. The rookies are often too homesick or too busy trying to buy last-minute gifts to focus on a zone-blitz package.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Fan Experience
If you want to stay ahead of the curve regarding who plays football Christmas day, follow these specific steps:
- Download the NFL App Notifications: Turn on "League News." The NFL usually "leaks" the Christmas schedule a few days before the full schedule release in May to build hype.
- Monitor the Netflix Newsroom: Since they hold the rights for the next couple of years, they will announce the broadcast teams and musical acts separately from the NFL’s main PR wing.
- Book Travel with Flex Dates: If your team is a contender (think Lions, Texans, or Packers), there is a high probability they get flexed into a holiday window. Don't book a non-refundable flight for the 25th if you're hoping to be at the stadium.
- Update Your Smart TV: Streamers like Netflix push heavy updates before big live events. Do a manual update on December 23rd to ensure the app doesn't crash the moment the ball is kicked.
The landscape is changing fast. What used to be a day for basketball and "A Christmas Story" marathons is now a gridiron takeover. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and it’s exactly what the fans want. Just make sure your Wi-Fi is strong enough to handle the hit.