NFL & Beyonce: Why are there Christmas games in US sports?

Because December 25 falls on a Wednesday this year, the NFL initially said it would not host a Christmas game in 2024.

In March, the league announced it had changed its mind. In May, the NFL agreed to a three-year partnership with Netflix to stream Christmas games – and not just in the US.

“When we saw last year’s viewership numbers, it was really our fans speaking,” said Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s executive vice president of media sales.

“They really enjoy NFL football at Christmas and want it too. What we have seen in recent years is unprecedented growth, not just at Christmas but at Thanksgiving as well.”

The NFL’s most-watched regular season game of all time was a Thanksgiving game in 2022, drawing 42.1 million viewers.

One of last year’s Christmas games drew 29 million, second only to the 1989 game.

“This opportunity, this belief that football brings people together – that is even more true on these big holidays,” added Schroeder.

The league says it will be the first “truly global games” in world sport.

Money inevitably plays a role too. ABC/ESPN will pay $2.6 billion (£2.1 billion) to broadcast about 100 NBA games a season, including five Christmas games.

That equates to around $26 million per game (£21 million). To broadcast two NFL games this Christmas, Netflix has reportedly paid $150 million (£118 million).