Report: NFL explores adding game on Thanksgiving Eve

Field Level Media|published: Wed 11th March, 10:53 2026

NFL: Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers

Nov 28, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Shelly Jessen, left, and Leah Adolphson are excited for the Green Bay Packers to play against the Miami Dolphins as they don turkey hats for Thanksgiving prior to the football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK

The NFL is considering the addition of a Thanksgiving Eve game to the schedule as soon as the 2026 season, ESPN reported Wednesday.

Adding a potential contest on Wednesday, Nov. 25, to the traditional menu of Thursday games would follow the league's recent trend of expanding its holiday offerings.

The NFL has played a game on Black Friday since 2023, with commissioner Roger Goodell telling the Wall Street Journal in December that a second game could be added this season on Friday, Nov. 27.

There was a Christmas Day tripleheader last season, when the holiday fell on a Thursday. In 2023, the NFL played two Christmas games on a Wednesday.

A Thanksgiving Eve game in 2026 would give the league a nine-day stretch with seven days of NFL action from Nov. 22-30.

--Field Level Media