What to know as Netflix streams two NFL games on Christmas: on Christmas Day 2025, Netflix carried Cowboys–Commanders at 1 p.m. ET and Lions–Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET. Both games were included with every Netflix plan and streamed globally, while the third Christmas game, Broncos–Chiefs, was carried by Prime Video.
The wording needs a date label because the title most directly describes the 2025 event. Netflix has also announced a new two-game Christmas slate for December 25, 2026, so the 2025 schedule and the upcoming 2026 schedule should not be treated as the same broadcast.
Key takeaways
- On Christmas Day 2025, Netflix streamed Cowboys–Commanders at 1 p.m. ET and Lions–Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET.
- Both 2025 games were included with every Netflix plan, with no separate NFL package required.
- Netflix carried only the first two games of the 2025 Christmas tripleheader; Prime Video carried Broncos–Chiefs at night.
- Netflix streamed the 2025 Christmas games globally, although local broadcast availability could vary by country and participating team market.
- Netflix’s announced 2026 Christmas games are Packers–Bears at 1 p.m. ET and Bills–Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET on December 25, 2026.
What NFL games did Netflix stream on Christmas in 2025?
Netflix’s 2025 Christmas Day NFL doubleheader consisted of Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders at 1 p.m. ET and Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET. The games were played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, respectively, according to the NFL’s official 2025 schedule announcement.
| Game | Start time | Venue | Streaming distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders | 1 p.m. ET | Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland | Netflix |
| Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings | 4:30 p.m. ET | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | Netflix |
| Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | Night game | Not specified in the supplied schedule details | Prime Video, not Netflix |
Did Netflix show all three Christmas NFL games?
No. Netflix showed the first two games in the 2025 Christmas tripleheader. Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs followed on Prime Video, so viewers who wanted the complete Christmas schedule needed access to both services or another authorized local option.
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How can you watch the Netflix NFL Christmas games?
For the 2025 games, viewers needed an active Netflix subscription and a device that could run Netflix. The games were included with all Netflix plans, so Netflix did not require a separate NFL add-on, sports tier, or pay-per-view purchase for the doubleheader.
Viewers could watch through the Netflix app on a supported television, computer, phone, tablet, or streaming media player. A supported streaming device was optional rather than a requirement: the essential access requirement was an active Netflix account and a compatible way to use Netflix.
| Question | Answer for the 2025 Netflix games |
|---|---|
| Was a special NFL package required? | No. Both Netflix games were included with every Netflix plan. |
| Were the games available outside the United States? | Yes. Netflix made the Christmas programming available globally, with international language options announced for its NFL coverage. |
| Were the games nationally free over the air? | No general nationwide free-over-the-air U.S. distribution was established by the supplied research. |
| Could a local broadcast be available? | Netflix’s 2026 guidance says local over-the-air broadcasts can be available in the participating teams’ respective markets; local rules and availability should be checked for the specific game. |
Are the Netflix NFL Christmas games free?
The 2025 Christmas games were not a free nationwide Netflix event. The games were included in an active Netflix subscription, but viewers without Netflix needed a subscription or another authorized option available in their market. A local over-the-air broadcast, where offered, is a separate distribution option and does not mean that the games were free over the air across the entire United States.
Can you watch the Netflix NFL games outside the U.S.?
Yes. Netflix announced global streaming for its Christmas NFL programming, although the exact presentation, language options, broadcast rights, and local alternatives could vary by country. “Global” should therefore be understood as international Netflix availability, not as a guarantee that every country received identical commentary, language feeds, replay rules, or additional distribution.
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How long did the 2025 Christmas games remain available?
NFL support guidance says that Christmas games expired from Netflix three hours after each game ended in the United States and 24 hours after each game ended in other countries. The guidance is operational and can change, so viewers should verify the current rule in the NFL’s official Christmas Day viewing support article before relying on a replay.
What NFL games are on Netflix in 2026?
As of August 13, 2026, Netflix had announced another two-game Christmas slate for December 25, 2026: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. ET and Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. Netflix’s official announcement says, “Continuing the Christmas Day tradition, Netflix will again air two games on Dec. 25.” The Netflix Tudum 2026 schedule announcement should be checked near game day for updated times, venues, local broadcast details, supported devices, language options, and replay availability.
| 2026 Christmas game | Scheduled start | Scheduled date | Known access note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears | 1 p.m. ET | December 25, 2026 | Announced for Netflix |
| Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | 4:30 p.m. ET | December 25, 2026 | Announced for Netflix |
Netflix’s 2026 guidance also says the games will be available on local, over-the-air broadcast television in the participating teams’ respective markets. That qualification matters: a local-market broadcast option does not make the Christmas games nationally free over the air throughout the United States.
Why did Netflix’s Christmas NFL games matter?
The Christmas broadcasts tested whether a major live sports property could be placed inside a general entertainment subscription instead of a dedicated sports package. The arrangement was also a significant distribution change for the NFL. In its May 15, 2024 announcement, the NFL said, “On Dec. 25, 2024, Netflix will be the global home of the NFL’s two Christmas Day marquee games.”
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- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
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The partnership began with Netflix’s 2024 Christmas doubleheader: Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET, followed by Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET. The NFL’s original announcement said Netflix would carry two Christmas games in 2024 and at least one holiday game in 2025 and 2026. Netflix later announced an extension through the 2029–2030 season that includes additional NFL games and NFL Honors.
How many people watched Netflix’s Christmas NFL games?
Netflix reported nearly 65 million unduplicated U.S. viewers for its 2024 Christmas NFL programming, according to its December 26, 2024 audience report. The same report, citing Nielsen figures reported by Netflix, gave the Ravens–Texans game an average audience of 24.3 million viewers and the Chiefs–Steelers game an average audience of 24.1 million viewers.
For the 2025 Lions–Vikings game, Netflix reported 27.5 million average U.S. viewers, measured using Nielsen Big Data + Panel. Netflix described Lions–Vikings as the most-streamed NFL game in U.S. history based on that measurement. The claim should remain attributed to Netflix and Nielsen rather than presented as an independently audited universal ranking; the figure and qualification appear in Netflix’s 2025 audience report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should viewers check before the next Christmas game?
- Confirm the game’s start time and date, especially if viewing in a time zone outside Eastern Time.
- Check whether the game is on Netflix, another streaming service, or a local broadcast in the relevant market.
- Verify that the Netflix app and viewing device are supported and updated.
- Check the current replay-expiration policy instead of assuming that a completed game will remain available indefinitely.
- For international viewing, confirm the available language feed and any country-specific distribution details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a special Netflix plan for the NFL Christmas games?
No. The 2025 Netflix Christmas games were included with every Netflix plan, but viewers still needed an active Netflix subscription or another authorized local option. They were not a free nationwide U.S. broadcast.
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Does Netflix show all three Christmas NFL games?
No. Netflix streamed only the first two 2025 Christmas games. Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, the third game in the tripleheader, was carried by Prime Video.
Can you watch the Netflix NFL Christmas games outside the U.S.?
Netflix made the 2025 Christmas NFL programming available globally, but commentary, language options, replay rules, and local distribution could vary by country.
How long can you replay the NFL Christmas games on Netflix?
NFL support guidance said the games expired three hours after each game ended in the United States and 24 hours after each game ended in other countries. Viewers should verify the current policy because operational rules can change.
The Bottom Line
Netflix’s 2025 Christmas NFL offering was a two-game global doubleheader—Cowboys–Commanders at 1 p.m. ET and Lions–Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET—included with every Netflix plan. Netflix did not carry the third game, Broncos–Chiefs, and the announced 2026 Christmas games are Packers–Bears and Bills–Broncos.
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