In a groundbreaking deal, Netflix has announced it will be the global home for the NFL’s Christmas Day games, starting from December 25, 2024, through to 2026.
The agreement marks the first time the streaming giant will broadcast live NFL games, further cementing its foray into live sports broadcasting.

As part of this three-season deal, Netflix will stream the highly anticipated Christmas Day matchups, featuring the Super Bowl LVII champions Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens versus the Houston Texans in 2024.

The following two years will see at least one marquee holiday game each season streamed on the platform.

Netflix’s collaboration with the NFL began in 2023 with the successful docuseries “Quarterback.” Building on that momentum, Netflix is set to premiere “Receiver” this summer, a series that follows top NFL pass catchers like Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Amon-Ra St. Brown through their 2023 season.

“Last year, we decided to take a big bet on life — tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more,” said Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer. “There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts. We’re so excited that the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix.”

Hans Schroeder, NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution, echoed the excitement: “We couldn’t be more excited to be the first professional sports league to partner with Netflix to bring live games to fans around the world. The NFL on Christmas has become a tradition and to partner with Netflix, a service whose biggest day of the year is typically this holiday, is the perfect combination to grow this event globally for NFL fans.”

The NFL’s tradition of Christmas Day games dates back to 1971, becoming a semi-regular fixture since 1989. Since 2020, these holiday games have become a staple, with last year’s three Christmas contests ranking among the top 25 most-viewed TV programs of 2023. The Raiders vs. Chiefs game, notably attended by Taylor Swift and Santa Claus, recorded the highest Christmas Day viewership since 1988.

In line with the NFL’s tradition, the Netflix Christmas Day games will also air on broadcast TV in the competing team cities and be available on US mobile devices through NFL+.
The league has also released its complete 2024-2025 schedule, ensuring fans can mark their calendars well in advance for the festive football action.

This landmark deal signals Netflix’s significant commitment to live sports, promising to deliver an exciting new dimension to its global audience while enhancing the NFL’s reach during the holiday season.