Christmas Day used to belong to the NBA for years, serving as the unofficial point when many basketball fans tune in to see their favorite teams and players. With the NFL growing faster than ever and expanding its reach, NFL Christmas games could be here to stay.
While the NFL always knew it could have success playing games on Christmas Day, the timing would be critical. The league has already been focused in expanding its reach in other areas, broadening the NFL International Series and playing the first-ever NFL game on Black Friday.
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With Thanksgiving now synonymous with the NFL, it certainly seems like Christmas Day could be next. The three games this past Christmas generated near-record-setting ratings for the league’s TV partners. Not only does that mean more money from advertisers long-term, but a strong likelihood of more NFL Christmas games in the future.
NFL Christmas Games TV ratings
- CBS – Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders – 29.2 million avg. viewers
- FOX – New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles – 29 million avg. viewers
- ESPN – Baltimore Ravens vs San Francisco 49ers – 27.1 million avg. viewers
However, it appears football fans won’t get to see any NFL games on Christmas in 2024. The NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning, Mike North, told Front Office Sports, that it’s unlikely the NFL plays on Christmas Day next season. But there is hope for the future.
“When the holidays fall on traditional NFL game days, maybe even sometimes non-traditional NFL game days, if the fans are interested, if the broadcast partners are interested, if it fits in our overall strategy … our fans have shown us that they will find u
NFL VP of broadcast planning Mike North on the future of NFL games on Chrismtas
The NBA can breathe a sigh of relief that it will have Christmas Day 2024 to itself, but that’s likely only because it falls on a Wednesday. In 2025, Christmas falls on a Thursday and the NFL is elated with the success Thursday Night Football is having on Amazon Prime. If Christmas falls on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday, there’s a strong chance an NFL game will be on.