Now, sports fans can watch either the NBA or the NFL on Christmas Day — or both
Christmas Day has quietly become one of the busiest — and most comforting — dates on the American sports calendar. When the gifts are unwrapped and family conversations hit a lull, the games are there, stretching from midday tipoffs to late-night kickoffs.
This year, the holiday offers a marathon worthy of a couch commitment: five NBA games and a triple-header of NFL action spanning more than 12 hours of wall-to-wall competition.
The NFL headlines the daylong feast of sports
The NFL’s Christmas showcase headlines the day, with all three games streamed nationally on Netflix and Prime Video — a sign of how much the league continues to push into the streaming era.
The slate opens at 1 p.m. ET with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Washington Commanders on Netflix. Even when the standings don’t sparkle, the Cowboys remain television gold, drawing massive audiences simply by existing. It’s a familiar holiday formula: America’s Team, a national window, and plenty of eyeballs.
At 4:30 p.m. ET, also on Netflix, the Detroit Lions face the Minnesota Vikings in what shapes up as the most compelling football game of the day. Detroit enters with little margin for error as it clings to faint playoff hopes, while Minnesota — winners of three straight — would love nothing more than to spoil a rival’s season. Divisional games tend to deliver tension regardless of records, and this one carries the added weight of postseason implications.
The NFL nightcap arrives at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, with the Denver Broncos taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. Months ago, this looked like a marquee showdown. Injuries and Kansas City’s elimination from playoff contention have dulled the shine, but Denver’s rise has kept the game relevant. The Broncos are chasing an AFC West title and trying to fend off the Chargers, giving the matchup some late-night intrigue.
LeBron and Steph Curry lead the NBA-viewing menu
While football owns the evening, the NBA still defines Christmas Day tradition. The action tips off at noon on ESPN/ABC with the Cavaliers visiting the Knicks. New York is fresh off an NBA Cup win and boasts one of its strongest cores in years, while Cleveland has slid back to the pack after last season’s 64-win campaign.
Later, the Spurs go to Oklahoma City to meet the Thunder (2:30 p.m.), offering youth and firepower. Victor Wembanyama headlines a San Antonio team on the rise, while Oklahoma City — defending champions with a league-best 26-3 record — brings championship pedigree. Add in their recent NBA Cup semifinal clash, and this one has sneaky juice.
The prime-time NBA draw comes at 8 p.m. with Rockets at Lakers, a potential last-gasp Christmas showcase of Kevin Durant versus LeBron James. Both legends are still producing at remarkable levels, and the chance to see them share the holiday stage again feels increasingly rare.
The NBA’s best player vs. the most exciting
If you’re still awake, the Timberwolves at the Nuggets (10:30 p.m.) closes the night behind Nikola Jokic’s nightly triple-double brilliance and Anthony Edwards’ explosive flair.
By the end of the day, Christmas becomes less about choosing a single game and more about pacing yourself. Clear the schedule, keep one eye on the screen and the other on the leftovers, and let the holiday sports marathon do the rest.