NFL Thanksgiving 2026 Schedule: Games, Times and TV

Last updated November 6, 2026

The National Football League (NFL) has five games over Thanksgiving week 2026. Three games fall on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.

The Bears visit the Lions, the Eagles visit the Cowboys and the Chiefs visit the Bills. A Wednesday night game and a Black Friday game round out the week.

Here are the times, channels and storylines for every game.

Kickoff times and channels may change. Check your local listings before game day.

Key Points

• Bears at Lions kicks off at 1 p.m. Eastern on Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) and Paramount Plus.
• Eagles at Cowboys starts at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on FOX.
• Chiefs at Bills is the prime-time game at 8:20 p.m. Eastern on National Broadcasting Company (NBC) and Peacock.
• Packers at Rams opens the week on Wednesday night on Netflix.
• Broncos at Steelers is the Black Friday game on Prime Video.

National Football League (NFL) Thanksgiving 2026 Schedule

All times are Eastern. Check the official National Football League (NFL) schedule for any late changes.

The schedule comes from FOX Sports, which notes it may still change.

National Broadcasting Company (NBC) Chicago also lists the full 2026 Thanksgiving schedule with every matchup.

Thanksgiving Day Games

Bears at Lions, 1 p.m.

The day starts with a classic rivalry in Detroit. Both teams sit near the top of the National Football Conference (NFC) North.

As of November 6, the Bears are 6 and 2, while the Lions are 5 and 2. So this game could shape the division race.

Eagles at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m.

Dallas hosts its annual afternoon game against a division rival. Both teams have struggled this season.

The Cowboys are 3 and 5, and the Eagles are 2 and 6. Still, a holiday win in front of a huge audience could spark a late run.

Chiefs at Bills, 8:20 p.m.

The night game may be the best of the week. Buffalo leads the American Football Conference (AFC) at 6 and 1.

Kansas City is 5 and 2. Their recent playoff battles make this one of the most anticipated games of the season.

Wednesday and Friday Games

Packers at Rams, Wednesday Night

The National Football League (NFL) opens the holiday stretch on Thanksgiving Eve. Green Bay visits Los Angeles in a game streaming only on Netflix.

The Packers are 5 and 3, and the Rams are 4 and 4. Both teams need wins to stay in the playoff hunt.

Broncos at Steelers, Black Friday

The week ends with a Friday afternoon game on Prime Video. Denver and Pittsburgh are both 6 and 2.

That makes this a key matchup for American Football Conference (AFC) playoff seeding.

How to Watch Without Cable

Most Thanksgiving games air on regular broadcast channels. An antenna can pick up Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), FOX and National Broadcasting Company (NBC) for free in most areas.

For streaming, each game also has an online option.

• Paramount Plus streams the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) game.
• FOX One and Tubi carry the FOX game.
• Peacock streams the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) night game.
• Netflix has the Wednesday game.
• Prime Video has the Friday game.

Use this tool to add up what streaming the full week could cost.

Why the Lions and Cowboys Always Play

Detroit and Dallas host a game almost every Thanksgiving. It is one of the oldest traditions in American sports.

The Lions began hosting holiday games in 1934. The Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966.

Today, a third prime-time game rotates among other teams. That gives fans three straight games on the holiday.

Plan Your Thanksgiving Around Football

Want to eat between games? Here is a simple plan.

• Start the turkey in the morning
• Snacks ready for the 1 p.m. Lions game
• Serve dinner between the second and third games
• Dessert during the night game
• Leftovers for the Friday Steelers game
• Check streaming logins the night before

Pick the Best Screen Setup

A good view makes every game more fun to watch. You do not need expensive gear to create a great setup.

Place the television at eye level and away from bright windows. Turn on sports mode in your picture settings if your set has one.

A simple soundbar can make the crowd noise feel more exciting. Keep remotes in one basket so nobody loses them.

Make It a Family Tradition

Football on Thanksgiving is a tradition for many families. You can add your own special touches each year.

Keep a small trophy for the winner of your family score prediction game. Take a group photo in team colors before the first kickoff.

Write down the final scores and keep them in a notebook. Looking back years later can bring back great memories.

Host a Football Watch Party

Thanksgiving football is a great reason to bring people together. A little planning keeps the day fun and relaxed.

1. Pick the games you want to watch and share the times with guests.
2. Set up seating so everyone can see the screen clearly.
3. Test your streaming app or cable box before guests arrive.
4. Keep a second screen ready in case two games overlap.
5. Plan the big meal around halftime or between games.

Ask guests to wear their team colors for a festive touch. Friendly rivalries can make the games even more exciting.

Game Day Snack Ideas

Snacks keep everyone happy before and between the big meal. Choose easy foods that people can eat with one hand.

• Veggie trays with a simple yogurt dip
• Mini sandwiches made with leftover rolls
• Popcorn with a sprinkle of your favorite seasoning
• Fruit skewers for a lighter option
• Warm soup served in small cups

Keep cold foods in the fridge until serving time. Do not leave food out for more than two hours.

Make Football Fun for Kids

Not every child enjoys sitting through a long game. Simple activities help younger fans stay involved.

Print a game bingo card with plays like a touchdown or a field goal. Kids can mark squares as the game goes on.

Let kids predict the final score and give a small prize to the closest guess. During halftime, send everyone outside for a quick game of catch.

Balance Football and Family Time

Football can take over the whole day if you are not careful. Some guests may prefer other activities.

Set up a quiet corner with board games or puzzles. Plan a short family walk between games to stretch your legs.

Turn the volume down during the meal so people can talk. A shared meal is often the best memory of the day.

Travel Safely on Game Day

Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel times of the year. Plan ahead if you are driving to a watch party.

Leave early to avoid heavy traffic before kickoff. Check the weather forecast and road conditions before you go.

Never drive after drinking alcohol. Choose a sober driver or use a rideshare to get home safely.

Follow the Games on the Go

You do not have to sit in front of a television to keep up. Many sports apps send live score alerts to your phone.

Turn on notifications only for your favorite team. This keeps your phone from buzzing all day.

Radio broadcasts are another good option while you cook or drive. They let you follow every play without watching a screen.

Each year adds a new chapter to your family football story.

Invite older relatives to share stories about games they watched years ago. These stories help younger fans connect with the tradition.

Test Yourself

Frequently Asked Questions

What National Football League (NFL) games are on Thanksgiving 2026?

Bears at Lions, Eagles at Cowboys and Chiefs at Bills play on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.

What time is the Cowboys Thanksgiving game?

The Eagles at Cowboys game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on FOX.

Is there a Black Friday National Football League (NFL) game in 2026?

Yes. The Broncos visit the Steelers at 3 p.m. Eastern on Friday, November 27, on Prime Video.

Where can I stream the Thanksgiving night game?

The Chiefs at Bills game streams on Peacock and airs on National Broadcasting Company (NBC).

Wrapping Up

Set your reminders for all five games and plan your meal around the 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. kickoffs.

Then enjoy a full week of holiday football.

Cooking for the crowd? Follow our turkey guide and add a few of our easy Thanksgiving side dishes.

Editor’s Note

This article is accurate as of November 6, 2026. Team records will change before Thanksgiving, and the National Football League (NFL) may adjust times or channels. We will update this page if anything changes.

Spot an error in this article? Please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy.

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