The NFL is shaking up its schedule in a big way, introducing a brand-new tradition that fans won't want to miss. For the first time in league history, a game will be played on Thanksgiving Eve, and it's shaping up to be a must-watch NFC showdown. The Los Angeles Rams will host the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday, November 25, streaming exclusively on Netflix. This marks the first Wednesday game in November during the Super Bowl era, adding a fresh twist to the NFL calendar.
While the NFL has celebrated Thanksgiving with games for over a century, this season breaks new ground by scheduling a primetime matchup the night before the holiday. And it's not a one-off—Netflix has signed a four-year deal to stream the Thanksgiving Eve game from 2026 through 2029, signaling that this tradition is here to stay. The league's scheduling guru, Mike North, noted the unique challenge: "We don't play Sunday to Wednesday. So, anybody playing that Wednesday of week 12 would have a week 11 bye." Both the Rams and Packers are expected to get their bye in Week 11 to accommodate the short turnaround.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium, and it's just one of five NFL games Netflix will stream in 2026. The streaming giant first dipped its toes into NFL action in 2024 with a Christmas doubleheader, expanded to two more Christmas games last year, and now adds this Thanksgiving Eve tilt to its growing portfolio. In fact, the Rams will appear in two of Netflix's five games this season, with the full lineup including a Week 1 matchup in Australia (49ers vs. Rams), the Thanksgiving Eve game, a Christmas doubleheader in Week 16, and a Saturday afternoon game in Week 18.
The Week 18 Saturday game is another innovation for the NFL, expanding the final week's Saturday slate from a doubleheader to a tripleheader. Netflix will air the early game at 1 p.m. ET, while ESPN/ABC handles the later two contests. The teams for the remaining Netflix games will be revealed when the full 2026 schedule drops on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
For fans, this means more football, more streaming options, and a new holiday tradition to look forward to. Whether you're gearing up for game day or just love the excitement of NFL scheduling innovations, this is one matchup you'll want to mark on your calendar.