The NFL’s Holiday Football Tradition: A Comprehensive Guide to Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas Games
Did You Know?
The Detroit Lions have played a game on Thanksgiving Day every single year as 1934, making it the longest-running tradition in the NFL.This tradition began as a way to boost attendance during the Great Depression and has become a beloved part of the American holiday experience.
the aroma of roasted turkey, the warmth of family gatherings, and the thrill of NFL football – for many Americans, these are the defining elements of the holiday season. The National Football League has strategically woven itself into the fabric of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and now Christmas, creating a powerful and lucrative tradition. But how did this happen, and what does the 2024 holiday schedule look like? This article provides an in-depth look at the history, evolution, and current landscape of NFL holiday games, offering insights for both casual fans and dedicated followers of the sport. We’ll explore the strategic reasoning behind these broadcasts, the impact on viewership, and what the future might hold for this increasingly meaningful part of the NFL calendar.
The Genesis of a tradition: Thanksgiving Football
The story begins in the 1930s. The NFL, still in its formative years, needed to build a fanbase. George A. richards, the owner of the Detroit Lions, recognized an chance. Facing low attendance, he decided to host a game on Thanksgiving Day in 1934, hoping to capitalize on the holiday’s built-in audience and the lack of competing entertainment. The gamble paid off.The Lions drew a crowd of over 26,000, and a tradition was born.
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The Dallas Cowboys joined the Thanksgiving fray in 1966, and their games quickly became a staple of the holiday. With only two exceptions, the Cowboys have hosted a Thanksgiving game every year since, solidifying their status as “America’s Team” and further cementing the holiday’s association with NFL football. The strategic placement of these games wasn’t just about viewership; it was about building brand loyalty and establishing the NFL as a central part of the American cultural landscape.
Expanding the Holiday Footprint: Black Friday & Christmas Games
for decades,Thanksgiving was the sole holiday domain of the NFL. However, recognizing the growing popularity of post-Thanksgiving shopping – and the potential to capture a captive audience – the league expanded its holiday programming.
In 2023, the NFL debuted a Black Friday game, featuring the Miami dolphins against the New York Jets, streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The game drew an average of 9.65 million viewers, making it the moast-watched Black Friday NFL game ever. This success prompted the league to continue the tradition in 2024, with the Philadelphia eagles hosting the Chicago Bears on November 29th, again on Amazon Prime.
The most recent expansion is into Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. After experimenting with limited Christmas games in previous years, the NFL significantly increased its festive schedule in 2023, streaming two games on Christmas Day. This year, Netflix will host two Christmas fixtures: Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions,demonstrating the league’s willingness to partner with streaming giants to reach new audiences. Amazon Prime will also broadcast Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve.
| Holiday | 2024 Games | Broadcaster |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals | CBS, FOX, NBC |
| Black
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