Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays in the USA and has been an integral part of every NFL season for decades. For many Americans and football fans, turkey and NFL games are inextricably linked on this day. The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys are particularly in focus.
In 1934, the Lions introduced the concept of playing on this special U.S. holiday and have played a home game on Thanksgiving every year since. Only from 1939 to 1945 were there no games due to the Second World War. The Dalls Cowboys’ Thanksgiving tradition began in 1966. Since then, they have been an integral part of the holiday and, like the Lions, play a home game every year. This year, the Lions face the Chicago Bears and the Cowboys face the New York Giants in their 85th Thanksgiving game.
Since the 2006 NFL season, another tradition has been established: a third Thanksgiving game. The participants in this game change every year – this year the Miami Dolphins are playing against the Green Bay Packers. Additionally, the NFL is continuing its recent Thanksgiving tradition this season by honoring the late NFL legend and commentator John Madden on this special day. Madden commented on 20 Thanksgiving games during his commentary career. In addition to various dedications and game day promotions, players from all six teams will wear Madden patches on their jerseys. The MVP of each of the three Thanksgiving games will also receive a Madden Trophy and the opportunity to select a high school or youth football program to receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation.
Since 2023, another NFL game has taken place on the Friday after Thanksgiving, “Black Friday”. The so-called “Black Friday”, which has also become established in Europe, is the most famous bridge day of the year in the USA and heralds the start of the Christmas shopping season. This year the Las Vegas Raiders will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the “Black Friday” game.
RTL Deutschland will show the Thanksgiving Game between the Lions and Bears live on free TV on NITRO from 6 p.m. Kickoff for the first of the two Thanksgiving matches is at 6:30 p.m. Afterwards, NITRO will also broadcast the game between the Cowboys and Giants live on free TV. Kickoff is at 10:30 p.m. Parallel to the TV broadcast, both games can be streamed online on RTL+.
DAZN also broadcasts the Lions and Cowboys games as well as the third game of the evening between the Dolphins and Packers live with German commentary. Kickoff for the Dolphins vs. Packers is on the night of Thursday to Friday at 2:20 a.m. In addition, DAZN will broadcast the “Black Friday” game between the Raiders and Chiefs on Friday from 9 p.m. All four games can also be seen on NFL Game Pass
