The NFL is doubling down on holiday football - and this year, it’s streaming straight into your living room via Netflix.
For the second straight Christmas, the league is taking two marquee matchups off traditional TV and placing them exclusively on the world’s biggest streaming platform. It’s a bold move, but one that reflects the NFL’s growing embrace of digital media as the future of sports broadcasting.
Christmas Day Football Goes Streaming-Only (Again)
On December 25, Netflix will host an NFC doubleheader that brings some serious divisional heat. First up, the Dallas Cowboys head to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Commanders in a classic NFC East showdown. That’s followed by an NFC North tilt between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings - a matchup that could carry major playoff implications depending on how the season shakes out.
This is more than just football, though. Netflix is leaning into the entertainment side of the holiday spectacle, integrating big-name music acts into the broadcast.
Kelly Clarkson will open the day’s festivities, and Snoop Dogg is set to headline the halftime show during the Lions-Vikings game. It’s a clear sign that Netflix isn’t just airing games - it’s curating an experience.
Why Netflix? Follow the Money - and the Audience
So why is the NFL putting two of its Christmas Day games behind a streaming paywall? Simply put: the league is playing the long game.
Netflix is reportedly paying around $150 million per year for a three-season deal that gives it exclusive rights to stream these holiday matchups. That kind of investment signals just how serious the platform is about entering the live sports arena - and how valuable the NFL sees these digital partnerships.
This strategy mirrors what we've already seen from Amazon, which holds exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football, and Peacock, which aired an exclusive wild-card playoff game. These deals are part of the NFL’s broader plan to meet fans where they are - and increasingly, that’s on streaming platforms, not cable boxes.
As cord-cutting continues and global audiences grow more accustomed to watching live events online, the NFL is positioning itself to stay ahead of the curve. By placing premium content like Christmas Day games on streaming platforms, the league is not only cashing in now, but also future-proofing its media rights for the next generation of fans.
The Full NFL Christmas Lineup
Here’s how the NFL’s Christmas Day slate shakes out:
- 11:00 a.m. ET - Netflix kicks off its coverage with a pregame show to set the stage.
- 1:00 p.m. ET - *Cowboys vs.
Commanders* (Netflix)
- **4:30 p.m.
ET** - Lions vs. Vikings (Netflix)
- 8:15 p.m. ET - *Broncos vs.
Chiefs* (Prime Video)
That’s three games, two platforms, and zero traditional TV broadcasts for national audiences. While local markets will still get access to their teams via over-the-air channels, the rest of the country will need a subscription to either Netflix or Prime Video to tune in.
How to Watch
If you’ve got Netflix - any plan, even the ad-supported one - you’re good to go. Both the Cowboys-Commanders and Lions-Vikings games will be available to all Netflix subscribers. Local broadcasts will still be available for fans in the home and away markets, and NFL+ will also carry the games for mobile viewers.
The Broncos-Chiefs nightcap, meanwhile, will stream exclusively on Prime Video, continuing Amazon’s regular-season and postseason partnership with the league.
The Bigger Picture
This is more than just a one-off experiment. It’s a clear signal that the NFL is fully committed to the streaming era. By handing over two of its most visible holiday games to Netflix - and pairing them with major entertainment acts - the league is blending sports, music, and digital media into one seamless package.
It’s a win for Netflix, which gets a massive global audience tuning in on one of the year’s biggest days. It’s a win for the NFL, which continues to expand its reach and revenue.
And for fans? It’s a new way to experience Christmas football - one that’s just a click away.