NFL Christmas Day 2025 brings tripleheader with streaming first approach

Christmas Day in the United States has long belonged to football and the National Football League is once again leaning into tradition while embracing a modern viewing model.

On December twenty five, the league stages three regular season games that form a full Christmas Day slate, featuring classic division rivalries and prime time drama.

This year’s games place major emphasis on streaming platforms, reflecting how audiences now consume live sports.

Two matchups will stream exclusively on Netflix, while the night game will air on Amazon Prime Video.

Local broadcasts remain available for in market viewers, but for most fans nationwide, Christmas football in twenty twenty five is a streaming experience.

Here is a complete and accurate guide to how to watch the NFL Christmas Day games, along with the wider Week seventeen schedule.

The league has scheduled three division matchups, spread across the afternoon and evening.

All games are played on Thursday, December twenty five, twenty twenty five.

Start time one pm Eastern

Streaming exclusively on Netflix

The early afternoon game renews one of the NFL’s most historic rivalries.

The Dallas Cowboys travel to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Commanders in an NFC East clash that has defined generations of football fans.

While playoff implications may be limited this late in the season, rivalry games often ignore form and standings.

For viewers, this matchup sets the tone for a full day of football on Christmas.

Start time four thirty pm Eastern

Streaming exclusively on Netflix

The second game shifts attention to the NFC North, where the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings meet in a matchup that traditionally delivers intensity and physical play.

With star wide receiver Justin Jefferson leading Minnesota and Detroit continuing its resurgence, this contest provides the centerpiece of the Christmas afternoon window.

Start time eight fifteen pm Eastern

Streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video

The Christmas night game features an AFC West rivalry between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Kansas City enters the game without its star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is sidelined for the season with a torn ACL, division rivalries rarely lose their edge.

This matchup closes the holiday slate under the lights, continuing Prime Video’s role as the exclusive home of Thursday night NFL games.

Netflix leads daytime coverage

For the second consecutive year, Netflix serves as the national broadcaster for NFL games on Christmas Day.

The platform will stream the Cowboys vs Commanders game at one pm Eastern and the Lions vs Vikings game at four thirty pm Eastern.

Viewers need an active Netflix subscription to watch.

The service currently offers three plans.

Standard with ads priced at seven dollars and ninety nine cents per month.

Standard without ads at seventeen dollars and ninety nine cents.

Premium at twenty four dollars and ninety nine cents.

Netflix does not offer a free trial.

Beyond live sports, Netflix remains home to popular original series and films, making it a central entertainment option for many households on Christmas Day.

Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive streaming home for the Broncos vs Chiefs matchup at eight fifteen pm Eastern.

The game is part of the league’s Thursday night football package.

A standard Amazon Prime membership costs fifteen dollars per month or one hundred thirty nine dollars annually and includes additional benefits such as free shipping, access to Amazon Music and exclusive deals.

Viewers may also subscribe to Prime Video alone for nine dollars per month.

A thirty day free trial is available for new Prime members.

Although the Christmas Day games are nationally streamed, local fans in participating team markets can still watch on traditional television without additional subscriptions.

Only the game involving the local team will be available in each market.

Local stations include

Washington DC on WUSA nine

Dallas on KTVT CBS eleven

Minnesota on WCCO CBS

Detroit on WWJ CBS

Kansas City on KSHB NBC Channel forty one

Denver on KMGH ABC Denver seven

Fans outside these markets will need to rely on streaming platforms.

Fans with an NFL Plus subscription can stream all three Christmas Day games live on mobile devices through the official NFL app.

This option is limited to smartphones and tablets and does not include television streaming.

Christmas Day football has quickly become a signature event for the league, blending tradition with innovation.

By scheduling division matchups and spreading games across multiple time windows, the NFL ensures steady viewership throughout the day.

The move toward streaming exclusivity reflects broader changes in sports media rights, as leagues partner with digital platforms to reach younger and global audiences.

Netflix and Amazon Prime Video represent two of the largest streaming services worldwide, giving the NFL expanded reach beyond traditional cable television.

Despite some teams being out of playoff contention, rivalry games maintain their appeal.

History, pride and familiarity often create compelling football regardless of standings.

All times listed in Eastern Time.

Cowboys vs Commanders one pm on Netflix

Lions vs Vikings four thirty pm on Netflix

Broncos vs Chiefs eight fifteen pm on Prime Video

Texans vs Chargers four thirty pm on NFL Network and NFL Plus

Ravens vs Packers eight pm on Peacock

Steelers vs Browns one pm on CBS

Patriots vs Jets one pm on FOX

Seahawks vs Panthers one pm on CBS

Cardinals vs Bengals one pm on FOX

Jaguars vs Colts one pm on FOX

Buccaneers vs Dolphins one pm on FOX

Saints vs Titans one pm on CBS

Eagles vs Bills four twenty five pm on FOX

Giants vs Raiders four zero five pm on CBS

Bears vs Forty Niners eight twenty pm on NBC

Rams vs Falcons eight fifteen pm on ESPN

Football on Christmas Day now reflects the way audiences live and watch.

Streaming platforms sit at the center of the experience, while local broadcasts preserve accessibility for hometown fans.

For viewers, the message is simple.

Christmas Day belongs to the NFL once again, with a full slate of games that span the afternoon and evening.

Whether through Netflix, Prime Video, local television or mobile streaming, fans have multiple ways to enjoy one of the league’s most anticipated regular season showcases.