2024 NFL Christmas Gameday: Why Wednesday Games Are Streaming on Netflix

NFL Launches New Christmas Day Tradition: First-Ever Wednesday Games to Stream on Netflix

The NFL is kicking off a new Christmas Day tradition in 2024, marking a significant shift in its schedule and broadcasting strategy. While the league has featured Christmas Day games in the past, they were typically reserved for special occasions or when the holiday coincided with traditional NFL game days. This year, however, Christmas falls on a Wednesday, and the NFL is embracing the opportunity to break new ground by hosting midweek games for the first time in its history.

Adding to the excitement, the NFL will debut its latest broadcast partner, Netflix, which will exclusively stream the Christmas Day matchups. This marks a major milestone for the streaming giant, as it ventures into live NFL coverage for the first time.

Netflix’s Bold Step into Live Sports

Netflix has been steadily expanding its presence in live sports over the past year. Before securing its first NFL games, the platform tested the waters with events like The Netflix Cup (a golf competition), The Netflix Slam (a tennis showcase), and the highly publicized Mike Tyson-Jake Paul exhibition fight. Additionally, Netflix has secured broadcasting rights for WWE Monday Night Raw starting in January 2024, as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2027 and 2031.

The partnership with the NFL is a game-changer for Netflix. The streaming service inked a $150 million deal to broadcast two Christmas Day games this year, with plans to feature “at least” one Christmas game annually in 2025 and 2026. This multi-year deal solidifies Netflix’s entry into premium sports broadcasting and aligns with the NFL’s strategy to expand its reach through streaming platforms.

How the NFL Adapted to a Midweek Christmas Schedule

Scheduling Christmas games on a Wednesday presented unique challenges for the NFL, as the league typically reserves midweek games for Thursday Night Football. To ensure teams were properly rested, the NFL adjusted the Week 16 schedule. The four teams playing on Christmas—Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens—were scheduled to play on Saturday the week prior. This allowed for a three-day turnaround, mirroring the rest period between a Sunday afternoon game and a Thursday night game.

This meticulous planning demonstrates the NFL’s commitment to maintaining player safety while introducing new scheduling formats. In previous years, Christmas Day games were only played when the holiday fell on traditional NFL game days, such as Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. Exceptions included special Friday games in 2009 and 2020, which were part of the Thursday Night Football package.

Christmas Football: A Growing NFL Tradition

Over the past five years, Christmas Day games have become a staple of the NFL calendar. With record-breaking viewership—over 28 million tuned in to watch last year’s Christmas matchups—the league has capitalized on the holiday’s massive audience potential.

The Netflix deal ensures that Christmas games will remain an annual tradition for the foreseeable future. In 2024, Netflix will stream two marquee matchups, while Amazon Prime Video will also feature a game as part of its Thursday Night Football package. As Christmas falls on a Thursday in 2025 and a Friday in 2026, the NFL is expected to continue leveraging these holiday games to maximize fan engagement and revenue.

What This Means for the NFL and Netflix

This partnership marks a new era for both the NFL and Netflix. For the league, the collaboration reinforces its ability to adapt to changing media consumption habits by embracing streaming as a core part of its broadcast strategy. For Netflix, the deal represents a high-stakes move into live sports, potentially attracting millions of new subscribers and further solidifying its position as a leader in the entertainment industry.

With lucrative deals, a growing fanbase, and innovative scheduling, the NFL’s Christmas Day games are poised to become a cherished holiday tradition. Whether you’re tuning in for the action-packed matchups or curious about Netflix’s live sports debut, one thing is clear: football and Christmas are a winning combination.