ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on December 4, 2024, that the National Football League is considering adding a game on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving to its annual schedule, potentially as early as the 2026 season.[1][2]

The proposed game would supplement the NFL's traditional Thanksgiving schedule, which has featured three games on Thanksgiving Thursday since 2017 -- typically hosted by the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, with a third matchup selected annually -- plus a Black Friday contest streamed exclusively since 2022.[3][4]

The Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game every year since 1934, missing only 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, while the Cowboys have done so annually since 1966, except 1975 and 2020.[3][4]

The league's motivation appears tied to its expansion of premium game sales to streaming platforms. Netflix holds exclusive rights to NFL Christmas Day games through 2026, including one in 2024 and two in 2025 and 2026.[5][6]

YouTube Television Vice President Christian Oestlien stated in July 2024 that the platform aims to become a "core part" of the NFL's media distribution, signaling potential interest in additional games.[2][7]

The NFL expanded to a 17-game regular season in 2021 and has pursued further changes, including international games and holiday extensions, amid ongoing media rights negotiations.[3][4]

Sources

1. ESPN (Adam Schefter), "NFL is considering adding a game the night before Thanksgiving to the annual schedule, possibly as soon as 2026," December 4, 2024, https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1864619082698889023
2. Front Office Sports, "NFL Mulling Wednesday Night Game Ahead of Thanksgiving," December 4, 2024, https://frontofficesports.com/nfl-mulls-wednesday-night-game-ahead-of-thanksgiving/
3. NFL.com, "NFL Thanksgiving Day History," accessed December 2024, https://www.nfl.com/photos/nfl-thanksgiving-day-games-history-0ap3000000815684
4. Pro Football Reference, "Thanksgiving Day Games," accessed December 2024, https://www.profootballreference.com/years/thanksgiving.htm
5. NFL.com, "Netflix to Exclusively Stream Live NFL Games on Christmas Day in 2024, 2025 and 2026," November 10, 2023, https://www.nfl.com/news/netflix-to-exclusively-stream-live-nfl-games-on-christmas-day-in-2024-2025-and-2026