Monday, January 19, 2026

NFL Thanksgiving Games 2025: Full Schedule, Kickoff Times & Where to Watch the Turkey Day Triple-Header

The annual tradition of NFL Thanksgiving games returns in 2025, offering a carefully curated triple-header slate that anchors the holiday viewing calendar. This year’s matchups—a blend of historic rivalries and high-stakes divisional clashes—are set to impact the Week 13 NFL standings. For American football enthusiasts, this page page is the definitive guide, providing the full schedule, precise kickoff times, and essential broadcast and live streaming details for every snap of the Turkey Day football action.

NFL Thanksgiving Games 2025: Full Turkey Day Football Schedule and Matchups

The 2025 NFL Thanksgiving games slate is structured into three distinct broadcast windows, ensuring continuous, high-quality viewing from early afternoon through primetime.

Game Schedule & Network
MatchupTime (ET)Network
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions1:00 p.m.FOX
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys4:30 p.m.CBS
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens8:20 p.m.NBC

Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Football Tradition

The Detroit Lions maintain their historic role as the opening host, continuing a nearly ninety-year Thanksgiving football tradition. This NFC North clash against the Green Bay Packers is more than just a game; it is the customary kickoff to the holiday’s athletic festivities, holding deep cultural significance for U.S. fans.

Chiefs vs Cowboys Headlines Week 13 NFL Games on Thanksgiving

The mid-afternoon contest features the second traditional host, the Dallas Cowboys, in a high-wattage matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. This game frequently serves as the marquee event of the NFL Thanksgiving games, drawing national attention and carrying critical weight for both teams’ playoff aspirations during Week 13 of the NFL.

Bengals vs Ravens Primetime Holiday Clash Analysis

Closing the night is an intense AFC North rivalry: the Cincinnati Bengals at the Baltimore Ravens. This primetime showdown guarantees a physical, playoff-caliber contest. As the final act of the holiday, this Bengals vs. Ravens matchup often determines the trajectory of one of the league’s toughest divisions.

NFL Thanksgiving Games Kickoff Times (ET) and Viewing Windows

For optimal holiday planning, here is the detailed viewing breakdown, with all kickoff times listed in Eastern Time (ET).

Kickoff Time Windows
Game WindowKickoff Time (ET)Key Matchup
Early Afternoon1:00 p.m.Packers vs Lions
Mid-Afternoon4:30 p.m.Chiefs vs Cowboys
Primetime8:20 p.m.Bengals vs Ravens

How to Watch NFL Thanksgiving Games: TV Channels and Streaming Options

All three NFL Thanksgiving games are distributed across the primary national broadcast networks. Specific streaming services supplement each broadcast for viewers using modern media.

How to Watch & Streaming Access
GameTV Channels / NetworkPrimary Streaming Access
Packers vs. LionsFOXFOX Sports App, Major Live TV Streaming Services
Chiefs vs. CowboysCBSParamount+ (Subscription Required)
Bengals vs. RavensNBCPeacock (Subscription Required)

Football on Thanksgiving 2025: What U.S. Fans Need to Know

Every one of the NFL Thanksgiving games is available on terrestrial television via FOX, CBS, and NBC. For those seeking digital access, these broadcast networks have integrated their games with their digital platforms, simplifying the viewing experience for modern U.S. fans.

NFL Thanksgiving Games Live Stream Guide: Paramount+, Peacock & National Broadcast

The evolution of football viewing now mandates a reliable live stream option. The following outlines how to utilize the official streaming services for the holiday’s digital broadcast needs:

  • CBS Games (Chiefs vs. Cowboys): Exclusively available via the network’s dedicated platform, Paramount+.
  • NBC Games (Bengals vs. Ravens): Streamed through Peacock, aligning with NBC’s strategy for its primetime broadcasts.
  • FOX Games (Packers vs. Lions): Streamable through the FOX Sports App and widely accessible on various Live TV services that carry the national broadcast channel.

The History Behind America’s Thanksgiving Football Tradition

The commitment to airing NFL Thanksgiving games speaks to a deep-rooted cultural intersection between the holiday and American sports. The consistent presence of football throughout the day is key to why the holiday remains a U.S. sports staple. This tradition continues to generate staggering viewership, evidenced by consistently high National Audience Ratings.

Black Friday NFL Game — Extending the Holiday Viewing

Adding to the weekend festivities, the league has introduced the Black Friday NFL Game. This matchup, often exclusive to an alternate digital platform, it extends the period of high-value football, providing holiday viewers with a bonus high-stakes contest the day after Thanksgiving.

Abubakar Bilal
Abubakar Bilal
Abubakar is a writer and digital marketing expert. Who has founded multiple blogs and successful businesses in the fields of digital marketing, software development. A full-service digital media agency that partners with clients to boost their business outcomes.

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