NFL Christmas Day Game Schedule and Matchups
The NFL traditionally schedules three games on December 25, with the afternoon tripleheader typically starting at 1:00 p.m. ET and concluding with the primetime matchup at 4:30 p.m. ET. The league rotates marquee AFC and NFC matchup configurations, often pairing division rivals and playoff contenders to maximize audience reach. The Christmas Day slate has become a fixed fixture in the NFL regular-season calendar, complementing the Thanksgiving tripleheader and the New Year's Day bowl games. For the most current confirmed schedule, visit the official NFL page at NFL.com.
Historically, the NFL has scheduled games on December 25 only when the regular season extends into that date, which occurs when Christmas falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. The league does not schedule games on Christmas Day when it lands on a Monday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to avoid conflicts with the standard weekly slate. The Christmas Day games are broadcast across multiple networks, including Amazon Prime Video, CBS, FOX, and NBC, depending on the annual broadcast rotation. The tripleheader format allows the league to distribute advertising inventory across several windows and maximize inventory monetization during the holiday period.
Broadcast Distribution and Streaming Strategy
Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive streaming rights for one of the three Christmas Day games under a multi-year deal that represents a significant pillar of the NFL's digital distribution strategy. The other two games are typically split among CBS, FOX, and NBC based on the annual broadcast package assignments, with the league using Christmas Day as a showcase for its cross-platform reach. In 2023, the Christmas Day broadcast drew an average of approximately 27 million viewers across the three games, reinforcing the holiday window as a high-value inventory period for advertisers. The NFL's Christmas Day broadcast model integrates linear television and streaming to capture both traditional and digital audiences.
The Christmas Day games contribute to the NFL's broader holiday programming strategy, which includes Thanksgiving Day games and the Christmas Night game on NBC. Amazon's exclusive Christmas Day streaming slot serves as a key driver for Prime Video subscriber retention and engagement during the holiday season. The NFL leverages the Christmas Day window to test new broadcast features, such as alternate audio feeds and enhanced stats overlays, across multiple platforms simultaneously. For background on Amazon's sports streaming investment, see the coverage at Forbes.
Economic Impact and Revenue Streams
NFL Christmas Day games generate significant revenue through national advertising sales, with a 30-second spot during the primetime Christmas Day broadcast commanding premium pricing due to the holiday audience concentration. The league's Christmas Day inventory is sold as part of the broader regular-season ad package, with advertisers treating the holiday window as a high-impact, limited-supply opportunity. The Christmas Day games also drive ancillary revenue for the NFL through increased merchandise sales, streaming subscriptions, and in-game betting partnerships. The economic footprint of the Christmas Day slate extends to host cities, which see elevated tourism and hospitality activity around the game days.
The NFL's Christmas Day games are part of a larger holiday sports programming ecosystem that includes NBA Christmas Day games and college football bowl games, creating a dense calendar of live sports inventory for networks and streaming platforms. The league's Christmas Day broadcast model has influenced scheduling decisions across professional sports, with other leagues evaluating holiday windows for their own premium matchups. For analysis of the sports broadcasting economics, the coverage at Bloomberg provides additional context on media rights valuations.