Cowboys Christmas Game History and NFL Scheduling Rules
The Dallas Cowboys have played on December 25 in multiple seasons as part of the NFL's traditional Christmas Day slate. The NFL schedules games on Christmas when the date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, with the league typically featuring a tripleheader that includes a daytime doubleheader and an evening primetime matchup. The Cowboys are not guaranteed a Christmas game every year; placement depends on the regular-season schedule, divisional rotation, and broadcast preferences. For the latest confirmed Christmas Day matchups and broadcast windows, the NFL releases the full schedule in the spring, and updates are tracked on the official NFL schedule page NFL Official Schedule.
Historically, the Cowboys have appeared on Christmas Day more often than most franchises due to their long-standing tradition of a Thanksgiving Day game and their high-profile national appeal. When Christmas falls on a Monday, the NFL has occasionally scheduled a single game rather than a full tripleheader, which can affect whether the Cowboys are selected. The league's current broadcast deals with networks such as Amazon Prime Video, CBS, Fox, and NBC determine which Christmas games air in primetime and which are distributed across daytime windows.
Recent Cowboys Christmas Games and Viewership Data
In the most recent seasons where the Cowboys appeared on December 25, the games have drawn substantial viewership, reflecting the team's large national fan base and the NFL's continued growth in total audience. The 2022 Christmas Day slate included a Cowboys matchup that aired on Amazon Prime Video as part of the league's new exclusive streaming partnership, contributing to record streaming numbers for the platform. The NFL's Christmas Day games have consistently ranked among the most-watched events of the year, with the Cowboys' appearances often placing in the top three most-streamed or televised games of the day.
For fans checking whether the Cowboys will play this year, the NFL's final schedule is typically announced after the regular-season slate is set, and any Christmas Day game is confirmed alongside the full list of week 18 matchups. The Cowboys' Christmas games have featured opponents from both the NFC East and interconference rivals, with the team's record on December 25 factored into broader season performance metrics. Detailed box scores, ratings, and audience breakdowns for each Cowboys Christmas game are available through the NFL's official statistics portal NFL Official Statistics.
How to Watch Cowboys Christmas Games and Where to Find Tickets
When the Cowboys are scheduled on Christmas Day, the game is typically available on one of the NFL's broadcast partners, with streaming options including NFL+, Amazon Prime Video, and network apps depending on the year's media rights distribution. Tickets for Cowboys Christmas games are sold through the team's official platform and league-approved resellers, with prices varying based on opponent, seat location, and demand. The NFL's Christmas Day games are subject to the same blackout and streaming rules as regular-season games, with local blackout policies applying to in-market viewers unless the game is sold out.
For the most up-to-date information on Cowboys Christmas Day tickets, broadcast channels, and streaming access, fans should check the official Dallas Cowboys website and the NFL's game-day guide Dallas Cowboys Official Site. The NFL also provides real-time updates on game times, weather delays, and any schedule changes that could affect Christmas Day coverage, ensuring viewers and attendees have accurate details ahead of the holiday.