NFL reveals exciting 2025 holiday schedule with new matchups

In the United States, the NFL had a significant announcement regarding its 2025 schedule on April 24, 2025. This release included intriguing matchups, particularly on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Thanksgiving lineup features the Green Bay Packers facing the Detroit Lions in the early game and the Dallas Cowboys hosting a yet-to-be-determined team later that afternoon. Additionally, the Cincinnati Bengals are set to battle the Baltimore Ravens in a rivalry game on Thanksgiving night, adding to the day's excitement. The Christmas schedule also promises thrilling matchups, with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the rival Washington Commanders in the first game of the holiday slate, which will be streamed on Netflix, and later that evening, the Denver Broncos will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in a prime-time game streamed on Amazon. These games are part of a broader effort by the NFL to enhance its holiday programming, solidifying Christmas as a permanent feature on the NFL calendar. The scheduling process has become increasingly complex due to new broadcast deals that allow flexibility for games to be aired on various networks. CBS and Fox retain their roles as primary broadcasters for the AFC and NFC, respectively, but there is now more opportunity for matchups to appear on different networks based on audience interest and demand. The league's commitment to improving the viewing experience reflects an understanding of fan expectations and market dynamics in the sports broadcasting industry. The announcement was made during the NFL Draft, showcasing the league's strategy to keep fans engaged even before the season's kickoff. Analysts and officials express optimism about the upcoming schedule, highlighting the balance of teams in playoff contention and exciting confrontations that are anticipated to draw significant viewership. Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be a year filled with high-stakes games and intense rivalries that fans will not want to miss.