Full Breakdown
NFL’s First Thanksgiving Eve Game on Netflix Triggers Legislative Push
5/15/2026, 12:43:00 PM
Historic Thanksgiving Eve Broadcast on Netflix
On Nov. 25, 2026, the Green Bay Packers will travel to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to face the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL’s inaugural Thanksgiving Eve contest. The Week 12 matchup is slated for 8 p.m. ET and will be streamed exclusively on Netflix, marking the league’s first prime-time holiday game on a subscription platform.
Expanding Streaming Partnerships: NFL’s Recent Moves
The league’s streaming footprint has grown rapidly. In 2024, the Packers appeared on Amazon Prime for a playoff game that was later simulcast only in the Green Bay and Milwaukee markets. Since then, the NFL has placed three additional games on Netflix, including the Rams-49ers season-opener in Melbourne, Australia, and two Christmas-Day contests. The Packers also featured on Netflix for a Week 17 game against the Ravens and a season-opening game in Brazil. These deals have fragmented viewership across broadcast, cable, and multiple streaming services.
Teams, Players, and Platforms
- Green Bay Packers – quarterback Jordan Love; returning star Micah Parsons (LB); emerging talents Christian Watson and Jayden Reed.
- Los Angeles Rams – MVP Matthew Stafford (QB, 46 TDs, 4,707 yds); receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams; defensive back Trent McDuffie.
- Netflix – streaming partner delivering the exclusive feed.
- Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) – sponsor of the “For the Fans Act,” legislation aimed at guaranteeing free over-the-air broadcasts of in-state professional-sports games.
Schedule Details and Numbers
- Thanksgiving Eve: Packers @ Rams, SoFi Stadium, 8 p.m. ET, Netflix exclusive.
- Christmas Day (rumored): Packers vs Bears at Soldier Field, 12:00 p.m. CT, also on Netflix.
- Netflix package 2026: includes the Thanksgiving Eve game, two Christmas-Day games, the Melbourne opener, a Week 18 playoff-implication game, and the NFL Honors awards show.
- The Packers have played 38 Thanksgiving Day games but never a Thanksgiving Eve contest.
Official Statements & Responses
The NFL announced the Thanksgiving Eve game as a “new holiday offering” and highlighted the partnership with Netflix as a “major shift in how Americans will consume professional football.” Netflix confirmed its expanded slate, noting additional international and holiday matchups. Senator Baldwin issued a statement urging Congress to pass the For the Fans Act, arguing that fans should not be compelled to purchase a streaming subscription to watch their home team.
Criticism & Opposition
Baldwin contended that rising living costs already strain households and that requiring a Netflix subscription for a local game is “unfair.” Her proposed legislation would extend the free-broadcast model used for in-state games to all professional leagues and eliminate blackouts on services such as NBA League Pass and MLB.tv. The NFL’s fragmented distribution continues to draw scrutiny from the DOJ and FCC, though no enforcement actions have materialized.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ “As the cost of just about everything continues to rise, the NFL is once again asking Wisconsinites to spend their hard-earned money on another streaming service.” — Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Statement
- “My For the Fans Act would stop this exact scenario and prevent Wisconsin families from being forced to pay for Netflix just to watch the Packers play this Thanksgiving,” Sen.” — Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Statement
- “The Los Angeles Rams will host the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Eve this season in a contest to be aired on Netflix, the NFL announced on Wednesday.” — NFL announcement
- “Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers will travel to face reigning AP NFL Most Valuable Player Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Thanksgiving Eve, Nov.” — NFL.com, Schedule Release
- “The Packers are coming to Netflix this fall.” — WISN 12 News
- “Netflix will also air the Rams’ season-opening game against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia on Sept.” — Field Level Media
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Leaks suggest a Packers-Bears Christmas-Day game on Dec. 25, but the NFL has not officially confirmed the matchup, venue, or exact start time. Sources differ between a 12:00 p.m. CT slot and a 1 p.m. kickoff. The full 2026 schedule, slated for release at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, will clarify these details.
Why It Matters
The exclusive Netflix broadcast raises questions about equitable fan access, especially for households that cannot afford additional subscriptions. Legislative action could reshape broadcast rights, extending free over-the-air coverage to all in-state games and potentially limiting future streaming-only deals. Ongoing DOJ and FCC attention underscores the regulatory dimension of the NFL’s distribution strategy.
What’s Next
The complete 2026 schedule will be released Thursday, confirming the Christmas-Day game and other holiday matchups. Lawmakers will review the For the Fans Act as the NFL monitors viewership metrics from the Thanksgiving Eve stream. Future negotiations between the league and streaming platforms will likely consider the balance between revenue generation and mandated free-to-air access.
