NFL Considers Adding Game on Thanksgiving Eve

Expanding holiday schedule with potential new pre-Thanksgiving matchup

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The NFL is exploring the possibility of adding a game the day before Thanksgiving to its holiday schedule. This would expand the league's slate of games around the Thanksgiving holiday, which already includes three games on Thanksgiving Day that are typically among the most watched of the regular season.

Why it matters

The NFL has been steadily increasing its number of games around major holidays in recent years, including adding a Black Friday game and multiple Christmas Day games. Adding a Thanksgiving Eve matchup would further capitalize on the high viewership and interest surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday period.

The details

The teams that would play in the potential Thanksgiving Eve game would likely have a bye week the week prior. The NFL has seen strong ratings for its Thanksgiving Day games, including the 2025 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys matchup which was the most watched regular season game on record.

  • The NFL has played a game on Black Friday in each of the past three seasons.
  • There were two games on Christmas Day in 2024 when it landed on a Wednesday.
  • There were three games on Christmas Day in 2025 when it was on a Thursday.

The players

NFL

The National Football League, the major professional American football league in the United States and Canada.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The NFL will need to finalize the schedule and determine which teams will play in the potential new Thanksgiving Eve game.

The takeaway

The NFL's exploration of adding a Thanksgiving Eve game is the latest example of the league's efforts to maximize viewership and interest around major holiday periods, building on the success of its existing Thanksgiving Day games.