Watching the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys play on Thanksgiving is a tradition, like serving turkey and stuffing for a Thanksgiving meal. It seems many families plan their Thanksgiving meal around the timing of the football games, eating either at halftime or between games.
How did NFL games on Thanksgiving become such a popular tradition? And why are the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys always hosting games on Turkey Day? One more thing: who is playing in this year’s Thanksgiving football games?
This article will address those questions and more. Let’s get to it.
- History of Professional Football and the Holiday
- How The Detroit Lions Began Playing on Thanksgiving
- How the Dallas Cowboys Joined the Action on Turkey Day
- Complete 2026 Thanksgiving Football Schedule
- Thanksgiving Eve: Wednesday, November 25
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26
- Bonus: Black Friday Football — November 27
History of Professional Football and the Holiday
In the 1920s, it was common for professional football teams to play on Thanksgiving. As many as six games were played on one Thanksgiving. In the 1920s, TV wasn’t a thing. TV was invented in 1927, but it didn’t gain traction until the early 1950s. As such, pro football games didn’t come into our houses as they do now.
When professional football was evolving, it couldn’t compete with college football, which was traditionally played on Saturday. Friday nights were considered the norm for high school football games. That left Sunday for professional football.
Why did the NFL move Thanksgiving games to Thursday?
You might get a kick out of testing your football knowledge on our Thanksgiving Football Trivia Bonanza.
How The Detroit Lions Began Playing on Thanksgiving
As the popularity of playing pro football games on Thanksgiving was beginning to fade, the undefeated Chicago Bears came to Detroit to play the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving in 1934.
The Lions had moved to Detroit from Portsmouth, Ohio, and attendance had lagged. The best-attended game of the season drew about 15,000 fans. But the Bears vs. Lions clash in 1934 on Turkey Day would be different. It didn’t hurt that the Bears came in undefeated at 11-0, and the Lions were no slouches themselves at 10-1. The Western Championship was on the line.
The game drew a shocking 26,000 fans to the University of Detroit Stadium. Attendance was about 73% higher than at any other game that season. The Bears edged the Lions 19-16. But that didn’t stop the Lions’ new owner, George A. (Dick) Richards, from booking the Bears for the next four years for a Thanksgiving game in Detroit. And so the tradition began.
The Lions hosted a Thanksgiving game, but it took a hiatus during WWII and resumed. From 1951 to 1963, the Lions hosted the Green Bay Packers every Thanksgiving Day. At that time, it was the only game of the day.
Take the 100-Question Thanksgiving Football Trivia Challenge to test your Turkey Day football smarts.
How the Dallas Cowboys Joined the Action on Turkey Day
The upstart AFL got into the action in 1960 by offering their own professional game on Thanksgiving. In 1966, the NFL’s answer was to feature two games on Turkey Day.
Cowboys President and GM Tex Schramm saw the advantages of televised games and jumped at the opportunity to host a Thanksgiving game. Since then, aside from 1975 and 1977, when the Cardinals hosted games, the Cowboys have been featured on the NFL Thanksgiving schedule. As the Lions’ on-field success began to fall, the Cowboys were playing better. “America’s Team” played the second game after the Lions finished the first.
The NFL added a third game to Thanksgiving in 2006. So, in addition to fitting in all your other holiday festivities, you can count on over 10 hours of televised football action every Thanksgiving.
Are you playing Thanksgiving football this year? Check out our wide array of Turkey Bowl Football Team Names.
2026 NFL Thanksgiving Football Schedule: Games, Times, and Matchup Previews
Thanksgiving football is getting an extra helping in 2026. For the first time, the NFL has scheduled a game on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 25, followed by its traditional three-game Thanksgiving Day feast on Thursday, November 26.
That’s four games over approximately 24 hours, featuring some of the NFL’s biggest rivalries and most recognizable stars. NFL Football Operations+1
Complete 2026 Thanksgiving Football Schedule
All kickoff times are Central Standard Time (CST).
| Date | Matchup | Kickoff | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., Nov. 25 | Packers at Rams | 7:00 p.m. | Netflix |
| Thu., Nov. 26 | Bears at Lions | Noon | CBS |
| Thu., Nov. 26 | Eagles at Cowboys | 3:30 p.m. | FOX |
| Thu., Nov. 26 | Chiefs at Bills | 7:20 p.m. | NBC / Peacock |
NFL Football Operations+1
Thanksgiving Eve: Wednesday, November 25
Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams
7:00 p.m. CST | SoFi Stadium | Netflix
The NFL’s inaugural Thanksgiving Eve game offers an intriguing quarterback showdown between Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Los Angeles’ Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP.
The Rams feature explosive offensive weapons Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams. Green Bay counters with Love and a defense featuring star pass rusher Micah Parsons. There’s also an interesting coaching connection: Rams head coach Sean McVay and Packers coach Matt LaFleur previously worked together in Los Angeles.
Why watch: Two NFC playoff hopefuls with plenty of star power. It’s also an opportunity to establish a new football tradition before the turkey even goes into the oven. NFL
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Noon CST | Ford Field | CBS
Thanksgiving football and the Detroit Lions go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. Detroit’s holiday tradition dates to 1934, and this year’s opponent is one of its oldest rivals.
Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams faces a Lions team led by Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Aidan Hutchinson. There’s an additional subplot: Bears coach Ben Johnson previously served as Detroit’s offensive coordinator. His Bears won the NFC North in 2025, but were swept by the Lions in their two regular-season meetings.
Why watch: A fierce NFC North rivalry, a coaching reunion, and potential division-title implications. Expect some bad blood—and not because somebody burned the stuffing. NFL
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
3:30 p.m. CST | AT&T Stadium | FOX
The Cowboys have been Thanksgiving regulars since 1966, and this year’s matchup brings one of their most bitter rivals to Arlington.
Philadelphia and Dallas have dominated the NFC East in recent seasons, combining to win every division title from 2021 through 2025. The Eagles feature Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, while Dallas counters with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Interestingly, the teams have met only twice on Thanksgiving, with Philadelphia winning both contests in 1989 and 2014.
Why watch: Few NFL rivalries produce as much drama as Cowboys-Eagles. Add a national holiday audience and the likelihood of playoff implications, and you’ve got all the ingredients for an entertaining afternoon. NFL+1
Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
7:20 p.m. CST | Highmark Stadium | NBC / Peacock
The marquee matchup of Thanksgiving night features Patrick Mahomes against Josh Allen, renewing one of the NFL’s greatest modern quarterback rivalries.
Since 2020, Buffalo has dominated regular-season meetings, while Kansas City has won all four postseason encounters. The quarterback duel frequently produces remarkable plays, dramatic finishes, and enough offensive fireworks to make the Macy’s parade organizers jealous.
Kansas City also has a notable new offensive weapon in running back Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl LX MVP, while Buffalo is under new head coach Joe Brady.
Why watch: Mahomes versus Allen is almost always must-see television. Of the four holiday matchups, this one arguably has the greatest potential to become an instant classic.
Bonus: Black Friday Football — November 27
The football festivities continue Friday, November 27, when the Denver Broncos visit the Pittsburgh Steelers at 2:00 p.m. CST on Prime Video.
That brings the Thanksgiving holiday lineup to five nationally featured games across three days.
By Mike O’Halloran
Founder and Editor, Sports Feel Good Stories
Mike O’Halloran founded Sports Feel Good Stories in 2009. He has authored three books on sports jokes, co-authored four trivia books, and authored three books on basketball coaching. Mike has also written a book on sports slogans and captions. He coached youth basketball for 15 seasons, taught tennis, and was a contributing writer for USA Football, the youth arm of the NFL.
Mike is the publisher of the Well-Prepared Coach line of coaches’ practice plans and editable award certificates. He is the founder of the Fantasy Football Team Names Hall of Fame. Mike is married with four children.
You are on our Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Games page.
Originally Published: October 26, 2023
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