Why Is the NFL Played on Christmas? This Is the Reason.
The Success of Audiences: The Decisive Factor
For decades, December 25th was a territory reserved almost exclusively for the NBA. However, in recent years, the NFL has decided to 'invade' Christmas, turning it into one of the most lucrative dates on its calendar. But what led the world’s most powerful league to change its historical stance?
The primary reason is numerical: people watch football on Christmas. Although the NFL used to avoid this date to prevent interfering with family traditions—even receiving complaints in 1971 after an incredibly long game delayed holiday dinners—modern viewership ratings have proven that the public is hungry for sports on that day.
In 2022, a matchup between teams with losing records drew more than 22 million viewers, vastly outperforming any NBA game. The league realized that, just like on Thanksgiving, Christmas is the perfect time to capture entire families gathered in front of the television.
In 2024 and 2025, the motive has evolved toward digital expansion. The alliance with giants like Netflix has been the engine of this change. By selling the rights to Christmas games for figures close to $150 million, the NFL is not only seeking viewers in the United States but a global audience as well
An Adaptable Calendar
Unlike in the past, the NFL is now willing to play on Christmas even if it falls in the middle of the week. The league has adjusted its schedules and rest days to ensure players are ready, prioritizing market dominance over traditional logistics. Ultimately, the NFL plays on Christmas because it has managed to transform a day of peace into a day of record-breaking revenue and ratings
