Get ready to clear your calendar. The 2026 NFL Thanksgiving schedule has officially transformed from a single-day feast into a 5-day football marathon. For the first time in league history, the action kicks off on a Wednesday night and doesn’t let up until the final whistle on Black Friday.
With new streaming exclusives on Netflix and Amazon Prime alongside the traditional holiday triple-header, navigating the 2026 holiday slate requires a game plan. Here is the full schedule, kickoff times, and broadcast guide for the most ambitious Thanksgiving week in NFL history.
The “Thanksgiving Eve” Premiere: Netflix Exclusive
The marathon begins on Wednesday, Nov. 25. In a historic move, the NFL is introducing a “Thanksgiving Eve” special to capture fans as they begin their holiday travel.
- Matchup: Green Bay Packers @ Los Angeles Rams
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Broadcast: Netflix (Exclusive Streaming)
This matchup features two of the NFC’s most explosive offenses at SoFi Stadium. Like the Christmas Day games, this Wednesday night special is exclusive to Netflix, though local fans in Green Bay and Los Angeles will likely have access via local over-the-air affiliates.
Thanksgiving Day Triple-Header: The Traditional Slate
The core of the 2026 NFL Thanksgiving schedule remains the three-game tradition on Thursday, Nov. 26. The 2026 lineup features three big divisional and conference rivalries.
| Time (ET) | Matchup | Broadcast |
| 12:30 PM | Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions | CBS |
| 4:30 PM | Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys | FOX |
| 8:20 PM | Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills | NBC |
The highlight of the day is the primetime finale: a rematch of the AFC’s greatest modern rivalry between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. This game is expected to be one of the most-watched regular-season games of the decade.
Black Friday Football: Amazon Prime Special
The marathon concludes on Friday, Nov. 27, with the third annual Black Friday game. This afternoon window is designed to be the perfect “shoppers’ special” for those avoiding the malls.
- Matchup: Denver Broncos @ Pittsburgh Steelers
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Broadcast: Amazon Prime Video
This AFC clash features a likely defensive struggle in Pittsburgh, making it a classic “black and blue” finale to the holiday week.
Printable 2026 Thanksgiving Week Planner
Don’t let the new 5-day format catch you off guard. We have developed a “Low-Ink” 2026 Thanksgiving Marathon Planner. This one-page PDF includes all five games, kickoff times, and broadcast partners in a clean, high-contrast grid. It’s designed to be pinned to your fridge or tucked into your wallet, using minimal toner while keeping you updated on every kickoff from Wednesday to Friday.
NFL Planning Resources
- 2026 NFL Weekly Schedule Hub: Download Team Schedules and more.
- 2026 NFL Bye Week Schedule: Plan your fantasy roster around the designated off-weeks for all 32 teams.
- 2026 NFL International Series Tracker: Complete kickoff times and broadcast info for games in Melbourne, Rio, London, and Paris.
- Printable NFL Schedules 2026: Printable schedules for all 32 teams and more.
FAQ: 2026 NFL Thanksgiving Week
Why is there an NFL game on Wednesday night? The NFL added the “Thanksgiving Eve” game on Netflix to capitalize on one of the busiest travel and social nights of the year. This is only the second time in the Super Bowl era that a regular-season game has been scheduled for a Wednesday.
Can I watch the Lions and Cowboys for free? Yes. The Lions (CBS) and Cowboys (FOX) games are broadcast on traditional over-the-air networks. You can watch these for free with a standard digital antenna.
Do I need a subscription for Black Friday? The Black Friday game is exclusive to Amazon Prime. However, in previous years, Amazon has made this game free to watch for anyone with an Amazon account, even without a Prime subscription. Check our live hub on game day to confirm.
What is the “Low-Ink” PDF format? Our PDFs are optimized specifically for home and office printers. We remove large blocks of color and high-resolution images, leaving you with a crisp, professional schedule that won’t drain your ink cartridges.
