The NFL is officially expanding its holiday broadcast schedule to include a game on Thanksgiving Eve, according to a report from The Insiders on NFL Network.
Per Ian Rapoport, the league is continuing its recent trend of "capturing new holidays" by placing a primetime matchup on the Wednesday night preceding the traditional Thanksgiving Day tripleheader. This move follows the league's successful expansion into Black Friday and Christmas Day windows in recent seasons, further cementing the league's dominance over the holiday television landscape.
While specific teams and kickoff times for the inaugural Thanksgiving Eve contest have not yet been announced, the decision signals a significant shift in the league's scheduling philosophy. Historically, the NFL has reserved the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for travel, but the high demand for live sports content has prompted the league to utilize the window for a national broadcast.
The addition of a Wednesday game ensures that professional football will be televised across nearly every day of the Thanksgiving holiday week. Further details regarding the participating franchises are expected to be released during the official NFL schedule reveal.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting