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how to watch football on christmas day

You can watch NFL football on Christmas Day 2025 mainly through streaming services, with only limited options on traditional TV in local markets. To see every Christmas game, you’ll need access to both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, plus possibly an HD antenna or NFL+ if you want mobile or replays.

Quick Scoop

  • Two Christmas Day games stream on Netflix.
  • One prime-time game streams on Amazon Prime Video.
  • Local fans can usually watch their team on a local broadcast channel, and NFL+ can help for mobile and replays.

What’s on Christmas Day?

The NFL has scheduled a full triple-header on December 25, 2025, and all three games are tied to streaming platforms rather than national cable networks. This means planning ahead matters if you do not already subscribe to these services.

Here’s the core schedule and where to watch:

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<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Matchup</th>
      <th>Kickoff Time (ET)</th>
      <th>Platform</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders</td>
      <td>1:00 p.m.</td>
      <td>Netflix [web:2][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings</td>
      <td>4:30 p.m.</td>
      <td>Netflix [web:2][web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs</td>
      <td>8:15 p.m.</td>
      <td>Amazon Prime Video [web:2][web:3][web:4][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

How to Watch on Netflix

To watch the early and late-afternoon games, you need a Netflix subscription of any tier; the Christmas NFL games are available across all plans once you’re signed in. On game day, you simply search for the matchup (e.g., “Cowboys vs Commanders”) in the Netflix app and stream it live like any other title.

Key tips:

  • Log in before kickoff so you can troubleshoot any app or device issues early.
  • Netflix does not offer a traditional free trial anymore, so you’ll need at least one paid month to watch.

How to Watch on Prime Video

The night game between the Broncos and Chiefs is exclusive to Amazon Prime Video nationally, similar to a Thursday Night Football setup. Prime Video comes bundled with a full Amazon Prime membership, but you can also subscribe to Prime Video by itself in many regions.

Practical steps:

  1. Make sure your Amazon account has either Prime or a standalone Prime Video subscription active before December 25.
  1. On game night, open Prime Video and look for the featured NFL live game tile or search “Broncos vs Chiefs”.

Some countries still offer a 30‑day Prime trial, which can cover the holiday period if you time it correctly, but availability varies by region.

Watching Without Cable (and Possible “Free-ish” Options)

For viewers who have cut the cord, Christmas football is still accessible, but it’s locked behind streaming paywalls unless you are in a local market. Here are the main routes:

  • Local broadcast channels (in-market only):
    Fans in the home markets of the teams can often watch via their local CBS/FOX affiliate that simulcasts the streaming game; using an HD antenna is the cheapest way if you’re nearby and reception is decent.
  • NFL+ on mobile/tablet:
    NFL+ typically includes live local and prime-time games on phones and tablets, plus replays, which several fans use to watch on delay or without commercials.
  • Account sharing with friends/family:
    If you don’t want multiple subscriptions, one friend with Netflix and another with Prime Video can host watch parties, whether in‑person or via screen‑share setups where allowed.

Fully free nationwide streams for all three games are not expected, so planning around at least one subscription is realistic.

Tips for a Smooth Christmas Watch

Because Christmas streaming is now a big, trending part of the NFL calendar, it’s smart to prepare instead of scrambling on the 25th.

  • Test your Netflix and Prime Video apps on your main TV or device a day or two before.
  • If you care about spoilers, consider NFL+ or DVR-style options so you can start late and still watch from the beginning.
  • Plan your holiday schedule around the three windows (early afternoon, late afternoon, night) so family events and football can coexist rather than clash.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.