Netflix is bringing back NFL on Christmas and the announcers are a big surprise
Christmas might still be a few months away, but Netflix is already setting the table, and this time, it is not turkey or hot cocoa… It’s football. Yep, the streamer is officially bringing back NFL games on Christmas Day, and judging by last year’s record-breaking numbers, this is going to be massive.
You probably remember how wild it was in 2024 when Beyoncé performed during halftime, and the games pulled in 65 million US viewers. They became the most-streamed NFL games in history, and suddenly Netflix wasn’t just about binge-watching dramas or dating shows. The streamer was hosting America’s favourite sport on one of the biggest holidays of the year.
Now, the holiday doubleheader is back for 2025, and the matchups are set. The first game kicks off at 1pm ET when the Dallas Cowboys face the Washington Commanders live from DC. After that, at 4:30pm ET, the Detroit Lions meet the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Two heavyweight showdowns, and both streamed globally on Netflix.
But what’s Netflix without a good twist? And this time, the real twist is the announcers. For Cowboys vs. Commanders, Ian Eagle is handling play-by-play, and he is joined by Nate Burleson and former quarterback Matt Ryan in the booth. Later, for Lions vs. Vikings, Noah Eagle takes over with Super Bowl champion Drew Brees offering analysis.
If you think about it, you are getting both seasoned voices and fresh perspectives. That’s good news for fans, as it’ll give them something a little different from the usual Sunday broadcast crew.
And Netflix isn’t cutting corners either. The games will stream in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German, making this not just an American holiday event but a global one. CBS Sports is producing the broadcasts, and NFL Media is handling the extras. Moreover, if last year was any hint, we can expect some big halftime surprises too.
The real kicker this time? This is Netflix carving out a holiday tradition. For decades, Christmas has been about NBA games on TV, but now, football on Netflix is sliding into that space and clearly sticking. And the numbers prove it: fans don’t just want to watch football; they want to stream it and make it part of their Christmas Day.
However, this is not going to be the only gift Netflix is giving its fans on Christmas. The OTT is also releasing volume two of its biggest show, Stranger Things, on the same day. So during the day you can enjoy the game, and at night, it’s time for a binge.
So, while everyone else is arguing over who gets the last slice of pie, you will know exactly where the real action is; it’s live on Netflix.