are there football games on christmas eve

Yes, there are football games on Christmas Eve in 2025, but they are limited to college football, not the NFL.

Quick Scoop

For 2025 , here’s how Christmas Eve football looks:

• There are no NFL games scheduled on Christmas Eve ; the NFL action is concentrated on Christmas Day instead.

• There is one major college football game on Christmas Eve: the Hawai‘i Bowl , which keeps its traditional Dec. 24 slot.

So if you’re looking for pro football specifically on Christmas Eve, you’ll come up empty this year, but you do still get a bowl game to watch.

What’s Actually Being Played?

• College (NCAA) :
  • Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl – California vs. Hawai‘i, played in Honolulu on Dec. 24, 2025, in the evening (U.S. Eastern time), televised nationally on ESPN.

• NFL (for context) :
  • The NFL has moved its holiday focus to Christmas Day , with a tripleheader (Cowboys–Commanders, Lions–Vikings, Broncos–Chiefs) instead of splitting between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Mini “Trending” Context

• In recent years the NFL has treated Christmas Day more like a marquee event day (similar to Thanksgiving), stacking multiple games there while often leaving Christmas Eve lighter or empty , depending on the calendar.

• College football has leaned on bowl games in warm-weather locations like Hawai‘i to keep the Christmas Eve football tradition alive for viewers who want something on in the background while they wrap gifts or relax after gatherings.

In short: Christmas Eve 2025 = mainly the Hawai‘i Bowl; the big pro spotlight is on Christmas Day’s NFL tripleheader.

TL;DR: Yes, there is football on Christmas Eve (the Hawai‘i Bowl), but no NFL games; the NFL saves its slate for Christmas Day.

Meta description: Wondering “are there football games on Christmas Eve” this year? In 2025, fans get the Hawai‘i Bowl on Dec. 24, while the NFL loads three games onto Christmas Day instead.