(Credits: Adrian Curiel)

Christmas Day football is marching back onto Netflix, and the platform isn’t going easy this time. Yes, people, this time Netflix is kicking the door down with a full doubleheader. Last year’s Christmas Gameday already proved Netflix could turn a regular football broadcast into a nationwide moment, and 2025 looks like an even bigger swing.

Leave everything; the matchups alone feel like the NFL saw the holiday calendar and decided to start on a family fight. Cowboys vs. Commanders opens the day, and Lions vs. Vikings closes it, and both games come wrapped in that rivalry energy people pretend they are above but secretly love. Who are we kidding here?

What makes it feel different this year is the broadcast lineup. Netflix didn’t just bring back the familiar voices, but it also stacked the day with Hall of Famers, active stars, big personalities and a few wildcard guests who have absolutely no reason to be this excited about football, but here they are anyway.

So yes, the stage is set, the cameras are ready, and Netflix is officially treating Christmas like a mini–Super Bowl. Here’s everything you need before the season kicks off.

What is NFL Christmas Gameday 2025?

Alright, people, gather around because some of you might’ve completely missed this new Netflix tradition. Last year was the very first time Netflix decided to crash Christmas with live NFL games, and they did it so loudly that the whole thing accidentally became a holiday event.

We’re talking record-breaking viewership and a ridiculous amount of hype online. But Netflix pulled out the big guns when Beyoncé casually hijacked the halftime. So yes, Netflix saw all that noise and said, “Let’s do it again.”

NFL Christmas Gameday is basically Netflix’s way of giving you zero excuses to leave your couch on December 25th. Two live NFL games. Full pregame shows. Sideline coverage. A broadcast team, yes, a TEAM. And all of it drops right in the middle of your Christmas afternoon.

So if your family already argues over what to watch on Christmas, congratulations, Netflix just gave you two more reasons to fight.

Which teams are playing on Christmas Day?

Christmas afternoon starts with Cowboys vs. Commanders, a rivalry that has been there since the beginning of time. They are facing off at Northwest Stadium in Maryland, and Netflix is treating it like a proper event. CBS Sports is running the live game, and NFL Media is handling everything around it. Kickoff is at 1 pm ET, so basically right when the house is half in a food coma.

The evening game is Lions vs. Vikings from US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and that one kicks off at 4:30 pm ET. Same production setup, just a different kind of NFC tension. Both games stream live on Netflix, included in every plan, so no one has to fight over cable or hunt for a login this time.

Who is hosting the pregame shows?

Starting with the first game (Cowboys vs. Commanders), broadcasting live from Washington D.C., with Kay Adams running the desk. She’s joined by Austin Ekeler, Michael Irvin and Devin McCourty, with comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura appearing as special guests.

For the second game in Minneapolis, Jamie Erdahl hosts the Lions vs. Vikings pregame show alongside analysts Manti Te’o and Brandon Marshall. WWE’s Seth Rollins will also join as a guest.

Both pregame broadcasts follow a traditional NFL studio format, just carried out with Netflix’s lighter, more relaxed presentation style.

Who’s calling the games?

The in-game broadcast crews combine returning Netflix NFL voices with several new additions.

For the first matchup, Netflix is sticking with familiar voices. Ian Eagle will be on play-by-play, with Nate Burleson and former quarterback Matt Ryan in the booth. This is such a fun trio with experience and the kind of chemistry viewers actually enjoy listening to. On the field, Sara Walsh and Melanie Collins will handle sideline reporting, keeping track of everything happening on the ground.

The evening game brings in another returning name as Noah Eagle takes over play-by-play duties. He’s joined by Drew Brees, whose analysis last year landed well with viewers looking for concise breakdowns. AJ Ross and Dianna Russini will report from the sidelines in Minneapolis, covering the updates, injuries and quick hits that carry the broadcast between plays.

Special Guests Joining the Broadcast

The special guest lineup this year mixes NFL veterans with a few unexpected faces. Michael Irvin and Austin Ekeler are all set to bring recognisable star power to the morning broadcast, while Manti Te’o and Brandon Marshall add their own on-field perspective during the afternoon coverage. WWE Superstar Seth Rollins joins the Minneapolis show, adding a bit of crossover energy without pulling attention away from the actual game.

The lighter moments come from comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura, who will appear during the morning pregame show. Who doesn’t want a small dose of humour before the games begin? Across both matchups, additional support comes from Scott Hanson and Kyle Long in the studio, while former NFL official Gene Steratore will step in to break down any close calls and explain rule decisions as the day unfolds.

Netflix is clearly making Christmas football a habit, and this year’s doubleheader looks built to keep people watching long after the presents are opened. But that’s not the only thing that will be dropping on Christmas Day, as Volume Two of Stranger Things will also premiere later that day.

So be prepared for a full day Netflix binge party.