In a groundbreaking move, the NFL has announced plans to host a tripleheader on Christmas Day in 2025. This marks a significant shift from the league's traditional avoidance of scheduling games on Thursdays when Christmas falls on that day. CBS Sports' insider Jonathan Jones confirms this development, which signals the NFL’s growing embrace of the holiday season as an opportunity for expanded viewership and engagement. The event will see partnerships with streaming giants Netflix and Amazon, setting the stage for what promises to be a festive football extravaganza.

Historically, the NFL has refrained from holding games on Christmas when it lands on a Thursday. However, recent trends indicate a change in strategy. Following last season's decision to play on Christmas despite it being a Wednesday, it became evident that the NFL was committed to hosting games annually, regardless of the day of the week. In 2025, the three games will be distributed across Netflix and Amazon. Amazon will retain its usual Thursday night slot, while Netflix will manage the remaining two games under a three-year agreement established with the NFL in 2024.

The scheduling of these games will follow a familiar pattern, with staggered start times at 1 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. ET, and 8:20 p.m. ET. Over the past three years, the NFL has successfully aired eight Christmas games, garnering substantial TV ratings. Notably, the two games streamed exclusively on Netflix last season attracted over 24 million viewers each, underscoring the immense appeal of these matches through digital platforms.

Since 1989, the NFL has progressively sought ways to incorporate Christmas into its schedule. A notable milestone was achieved in 2004 with the first-ever Christmas doubleheader. Now, two decades later, fans can look forward to the inaugural Thursday Christmas game, enhancing the allure of the holiday season for football enthusiasts. The participating teams will be disclosed in May upon the release of the official NFL schedule.

With the NFL's bold step into integrating Christmas celebrations with its regular-season games, the sport continues to evolve, captivating audiences worldwide. By aligning with leading streaming services and embracing new formats, the league not only honors tradition but also pioneers innovative approaches to engage fans during the festive period.