Nov 20, 2025
·Max Meyer
For millions of fans, Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, stuffing and family gatherings — it’s also about football. The holiday and the sport have become so intertwined that it’s hard to picture a Thanksgiving schedule without the familiar backdrop of NFL games playing from afternoon to night. The connection feels timeless, but the road to making football a Thanksgiving staple is a story nearly 150 years in the making.
From 19th-century college rivalries to the modern tripleheader featuring halftime concerts, community service traditions and stadiums serving thousands of pounds of food, Thanksgiving football is every bit as much an American ritual as the holiday meal itself. Here’s how it all came together — and why it matters today.
Thanksgiving Football Began Before the NFL Even Existed
Long before the NFL arrived on the scene, Thanksgiving belonged to college football. In 1876, the Intercollegiate Football Association staged its championship on the holiday, launching a tradition that would dominate the Northeast for decades. When the game was moved to New York City in 1880, it exploded in popularity. The weekend turned into a cultural event: dinners, dances, theater outings and a game that signaled the unofficial start of the winter social season.
By the 1890s, Thanksgiving and football were synonymous — so much so that newspapers criticized the sport for “ruining” what had once been a solemn celebration. But football’s grip only strengthened, and communities rallied around the high school and college games that made the holiday feel complete.
So when the fledgling NFL launched in 1920, playing on Thanksgiving wasn’t a bold strategy — it was a no-brainer. The league needed eyeballs and credibility, and Thanksgiving was already football’s biggest stage.
How the Lions Turned Thanksgiving Into Their Annual Spotlight
The tradition truly took off in 1934 thanks to a savvy Detroit radio executive named G.A. Richards. After purchasing and relocating the Portsmouth Spartans, he needed a way to build excitement around his new team, the Detroit Lions. His idea: host a Thanksgiving game against the powerhouse Chicago Bears and broadcast it on the 94-station NBC Radio Network.
The results were historic.
More than 26,000 fans packed the University of Detroit Stadium — a sellout at the time — and the radio audience was massive. The Bears won 19–16, but Detroit had found its identity. Except for a World War II pause from 1939–44, the Lions have played at home every Thanksgiving since. Detroit now holds a 38-45-2 record on turkey day and remains the longest-running Thanksgiving tradition in American sports.
The Cowboys Join the Thanksgiving Party
Three decades later, in 1966, another team saw opportunity in the holiday spotlight: the Dallas Cowboys. At the time, they weren’t yet "America’s Team" — they were a young franchise looking to grow their brand. General manager Tex Schramm believed a national Thanksgiving audience could accelerate that.
He was right. Over 80,000 fans filled the Cotton Bowl for Dallas’ first Thanksgiving game, a 26–14 win over the Browns. Except for 1975 and 1977 — two years when the NFL tested the St. Louis Cardinals in the Thanksgiving slot, to disastrous results — the Cowboys have hosted every Thanksgiving since. Their holiday record stands at 34-22-1, and the annual game has become one of the league’s most recognizable traditions.
By the 1970s, Thanksgiving and NFL football were inseparable.
Modern Thanksgiving: The Tripleheader Era
As other teams began pushing for a shot at Thanksgiving exposure, the NFL added a rotating prime-time game in 2006. The holiday became a full-day football marathon — noon, late afternoon, and night — giving the league three enormous national windows.
The 2025 Thanksgiving Day schedule has three intriguing matchups on tap:
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (1:00 p.m. ET)
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys (4:30 p.m. ET)
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (8:20 p.m. ET)
Thanksgiving-Themed Food Options at NFL Stadiums
NFL stadiums will roll out special Thanksgiving-themed food options for fans attending the holiday games. While offerings vary by venue, it's common to find limited-edition items such as carved turkey sandwiches, turkey legs, stuffing-inspired sides, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauces, and even holiday-themed desserts. Some stadiums partner with local chefs or vendors to create unique twists on Thanksgiving staples, while others offer full “Thanksgiving plates” available at select concession stands.
These holiday menus are typically available only on game day and often sell out early, making them a festive addition to the experience for fans spending their Thanksgiving inside the stadium.
The History of Thanksgiving NFL Halftime Performances
Halftime shows have been a staple of the NFL’s Thanksgiving tradition for decades, evolving from simple marching-band performances to major national entertainment events. The Detroit Lions were the first team to introduce themed halftime entertainment, dating back to the 1960s, when local bands, choirs, and community groups would take the field during the holiday game. As television audiences grew, so did the scale of the show.
The Dallas Cowboys elevated the Thanksgiving halftime platform even further beginning in the 1990s, turning it into a showcase for mainstream musical acts. Iconic performers like Reba McEntire, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson and Selena Gomez helped transform the Cowboys’ halftime show into a nationally recognized entertainment moment. In 1997, the Cowboys partnered with the Salvation Army to launch an annual Thanksgiving halftime tradition that remains one of the league’s most prominent charity-focused performances.
When the NFL added a primetime Thanksgiving game in 2006, the evening matchup adopted the same entertainment format, giving fans a third nationally televised halftime performance.
This year’s slate brings musical star power to all three games with can’t-miss halftime shows by acclaimed artists:
Jack White will perform at the Packers-Lions game in Detroit.
Post Malone takes the stage during halftime of the Chiefs-Cowboys game in Arlington.
Lil Jon will perform live at halftime of the Bengals-Ravens primetime matchup in Baltimore.
How to Buy NFL Thanksgiving Tickets on SeatGeek
If watching the NFL in person is on your Thanksgiving menu this year, here’s the step-by-step guide to buying tickets on SeatGeek.
1. Search for your Thanksgiving matchup
Open the SeatGeek app or website and type in the game you want to attend — “Packers vs. Lions,” “Chiefs vs. Cowboys,” or “Bengals vs. Ravens.” Each Thanksgiving game has its own event page, complete with pricing, seating charts, and availability.
2. Review the stadium seating chart
SeatGeek shows all-in pricing upfront, so you know exactly what you’re paying before you even choose a seat. Use the full stadium map to compare sightlines — whether you want to watch kickoff from the 50-yard line or celebrate touchdowns from the end zone.
3. Use filters to carve out the perfect seats
Just like building your Thanksgiving plate, SeatGeek lets you pick exactly what you want. You can sort by price, section or even using our tool Deal Score (to find the best value fast). You can also preview your view from each section so you know exactly what you’re getting.
4. Choose your tickets and secure your spot
Once you find your ideal seats, tap “Checkout,” enter your info and lock in your tickets. It’s faster than passing the mashed potatoes.
5. Get your confirmation and get ready for kickoff
You’ll receive a confirmation email right away, and your mobile tickets will appear under “My Tickets” in the SeatGeek app. They’ll be ready to scan as soon as you arrive at the stadium.
Football isn’t just background noise on Thanksgiving, it’s part of the tradition. SeatGeek makes it easier than ever to be there for every snap.