Christmas and football have become a surprising but exciting pairing in the NFL. More than 50 years ago, in 1971, the Minnesota Vikings faced the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC divisional playoffs on Christmas Day, kicking off a tradition that combines sport and holiday cheer.
Fans bundled up for the freezing Minnesota weather and watched history unfold, setting the stage for decades of festive gridiron action.
After that first game, the NFL largely avoided the holiday for nearly 20 years. The league returned in 1989 when the Vikings hosted the Cincinnati Bengals, and fans once again got a taste of Christmas football magic.
Sporadic holiday matchups continued through the 1990s and 2000s, but the addition of a bye week in 1990 often placed Christmas in a tricky spot during the regular season.
That changed in 2020, when the NFL scheduled multiple Christmas Day games, starting with the New Orleans Saints hosting the Vikings. “The NFL realized Christmas games aren’t just about football.
They’re about creating an event where families gather, cheer, and celebrate together,” said sports entertainment analyst Jordan Fields. Since then, at least two games have been played every Christmas, with this year expanding the lineup to three games.
NFL Christmas games aren’t just about competition; they are entertainment spectacles. Lights, packed stadiums, and fans in Santa hats combine with high stakes action on the field.
“Watching the Cowboys or Vikings on Christmas morning has become part of our family tradition. It feels festive and thrilling at the same time,” said Dallas fan Mark Thompson.
Chiefs supporters in Kansas City echo the sentiment: “Even if it’s freezing, we’re out cheering. The holiday vibe makes the game unforgettable,” said Olivia Reynolds..
There have been 32 NFL games played on Christmas to date, and nearly half of those have occurred in the last ten years. The Cowboys and Chiefs lead the league with five holiday appearances each, and both are scheduled to notch a sixth this season.
The Vikings are also frequent participants, making appearances in multiple decades. Meanwhile, seven franchises have never played on Christmas.
Washington is set to make its debut this year, leaving six teams still waiting for their first festive showdown. “It’s fascinating to see the mix of tradition and novelty teams like the Cowboys and Vikings create a familiar holiday spectacle, while new entrants add fresh excitement,” said Fields.
For many fans, NFL Christmas games are about more than football they are about rituals, family gatherings, and festive traditions.
Families gather around TVs early in the morning, some even combining breakfast with tailgate style celebrations. “It’s our way of combining holiday cheer with football fever,” said Morales, a longtime Saints fan.
The NFL shows no signs of slowing its Christmas tradition. Analysts expect more marquee teams to appear in future holiday games, blending fan excitement with entertainment spectacle.
Experts predict that these matchups will continue to expand, making NFL Christmas games a must watch event in the holiday calendar.
From a freezing 1971 playoff to today’s festive showdowns, NFL Christmas games have grown into a unique blend of sport and entertainment.
The Cowboys and Chiefs dominate the record books, while new teams like Washington bring fresh excitement.
As the league embraces this holiday tradition, fans can expect more thrilling, family friendly spectacles that combine football, fun, and Christmas cheer.
