NFL Christmas Game Schedule and Broadcast Details
The NFL Christmas Day slate typically features three games across the afternoon and evening windows, with the doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. ET and the primetime game at 4:30 p.m. ET. The league rotates the Christmas games among its broadcast partners, with CBS, Fox, and NBC each taking turns airing the afternoon matchups, while the evening game often lands on Amazon Prime Video as part of the NFL's expanded streaming deal. The Christmas Day games are part of the NFL's 18-week regular season, which now includes a 17-game schedule and a flexible Week 18 playoff-style option for playoff seeding. The Christmas slate is strategically placed to maximize holiday viewership and advertising revenue during the peak family viewing period. Forbes covers the NFL's expanded schedule and revenue implications.
Amazon Prime Video has held exclusive rights to one NFL Christmas game per season since 2022, as part of a 11-year, $14 billion deal that reshaped the league's streaming strategy. The Christmas night game on Amazon is the league's first exclusive Christmas Day streaming broadcast, drawing millions of global viewers and testing the viability of over-the-top holiday sports events. The Christmas game broadcast generates significant ad revenue, with a 30-second spot costing upwards of $2 million, comparable to Super Bowl-level pricing for premium inventory. The Christmas Day schedule is set by the NFL's scheduling committee, which balances competitive balance, travel logistics, and regional interest to determine the final Christmas game matchups each year. NFL.com details the Christmas Day broadcast partners and schedule.
Financial Impact and Revenue Streams from NFL Christmas Games
The NFL Christmas games contribute directly to the league's annual revenue, which exceeds $20 billion from media rights, sponsorships, and licensing deals. Christmas Day advertising revenue is a key component, with national ad slots selling out quickly due to the high viewership and demographic reach of the holiday audience. The Christmas games also drive merchandise sales, with teams playing on December 25 often seeing a spike in jersey and memorabilia purchases in the days surrounding the game. The Christmas slate supports the NFL's broader financial ecosystem, including stadium concessions, local broadcasting deals, and digital content partnerships that extend the revenue window around the holiday period. SEC filings from NFL-related entities provide financial data on holiday revenue streams.
Sponsorship revenue tied to NFL Christmas games is managed through league-level partnerships with brands like Pepsi, Bud Light, and Toyota, which pay premium rates for Christmas Day integration across broadcast and digital platforms. The Christmas games also impact the league's digital and betting revenue, as the NFL's partnership with Caesars Entertainment and other sportsbooks drives increased wagers on Christmas Day matchups. The Christmas Day schedule influences team financial performance, as home teams benefit from higher ticket sales and local TV revenue during the holiday window. The NFL's Christmas game revenue model is closely monitored by investors and analysts, with the league's financial health tied to the success of its holiday programming. Forbes breaks down NFL revenue streams including holiday games.
Historical Context and Competitive Stakes of NFL Christmas Games
The NFL has played Christmas Day games since 197