Why Does the NBA Play Games on Christmas Day? Here’s the Reason
Far from being a coincidence, NBA games on December 25 are the result of a historic tradition, a strategic television decision, and an identity the league has protected for decades.
A tradition born with the modern league
The NBA made Christmas Day its own long before sports marketing became a science. The first game ever played on December 25 took place in 1947, when the New York Knicks defeated the Providence Steamrollers, setting a precedent that has largely remained intact to this day. Since then, the league’s calendar—running from fall through early summer—has allowed Christmas games to become a permanent fixture.
With the lone exception of the 1998–99 season, which was disrupted by a labor lockout that delayed the start of the campaign, the NBA has never walked away from Christmas Day. Not even the 2020 pandemic was enough to break the tradition. For the league, playing on Christmas is not a luxury—it is a statement of identity.
December 25 as a global showcase
Over time, Christmas evolved into a strategic showcase for the NBA. While other major American sports scale back their schedules on December 25, the league positioned itself as the centerpiece of the holiday. Even with recent competition from the NFL and streaming platforms, basketball continues to dominate Christmas Day ratings.
Since 2008, the league has consistently scheduled five games on December 25, carefully selecting its most attractive franchises and biggest stars. Recent champions like the Oklahoma City Thunder, iconic brands such as the Los Angeles Lakers, and major-market teams like the New York Knicks are regular fixtures, often paired with generational talent.
Stars, storylines, and spectacle
The appeal goes beyond the calendar—the NBA builds narratives. Whether it’s potential playoff previews, clashes between contenders, or showdowns featuring superstars, Christmas games are designed as must-watch events. Matchups like Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, or Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers, featuring LeBron James and Kevin Durant, reinforce that global storyline.
The league also traditionally rewards the reigning champion with a Christmas appearance, a practice that became standard in the 1990s under former commissioner David Stern. It is a symbolic way to “showcase the crown” to a worldwide audience.
More than games: a cultural identity
Across nearly eight decades, the NBA has claimed December 25 like no other league. Of the league’s 30 franchises, nearly all have played on Christmas at least once, with only a handful of exceptions. Teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns frequently return due to their history and media appeal.
Today, with hundreds of millions of fans outside the United States, Christmas is no longer just a domestic tradition—it is a global appointment. That is why, while other leagues hesitate, the NBA firmly holds its place on Christmas Day, blending history, business, and entertainment into a date that now unmistakably belongs to basketball.
