Alongside the special Thanksgiving Day fixtures, the NFL has also converted Christmas to a footballing holiday, which over the years has grown into a special footballing tradition. The league hosted its first Christmas Day games in 1971, and since then, this special holiday has presented fans with countless memories.

Thanks to the rise in popularity, this year’s Christmas Day fixtures have led to astronomical revenue for the NFL. With that said, let’s look at how much Netflix will pay for these special festive games.

How Much Is Netflix Paying for NFL Christmas Games?

After a successful slate of fixtures last season, Netflix paid a reported $150 million per year for these games, along with the rights to air Christmas Day games in 2025 and 2026. For this season, fans will be able to watch the Dallas Cowboys take on the Washington Commanders, the Detroit Lions face off against the Minnesota Vikings, and the Kansas City Chiefs battle it out against the Denver Broncos on the streaming platform.

Why Netflix Is Investing in NFL Christmas Day Games

Netflix’s decision to purchase NFL Christmas Day rights marks a pivotal shift in its content strategy. Traditionally, Netflix focused on “on-demand” libraries, but with subscriber growth hitting stagnation, the streaming giant has pivoted towards live events. Live sports are “appointment viewing,” which generates a massive audience that comes back to the product, creating a powerful hook for Netflix’s newer, lower-priced ad-supported tier. Hence, there have also been other sporting events making their way onto Netflix, like soccer, boxing, and tennis.

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Netflix vs. Other NFL Streaming Payments

After signing a three-year deal and spending a staggering $150 million for the rights to each game, Netflix has managed to secure one of the biggest broadcast deals while spending a fraction of what its other competitors have.

Amazon Prime Video pays approximately $1 billion annually for the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. On the other hand, YouTube TV has invested roughly $2 billion per year for the NFL Sunday Ticket package. Similarly, Peacock (NBCUniversal) had paid around $110 million for a single exclusive Wild Card playoff game last season.

Does Netflix’s NFL Christmas Deal Include Multiple Years?

Netflix has a three-year deal with the NFL to exclusively stream at least two live games on Christmas Day through the 2026 season, reportedly paying around $150 million per year for the rights. The deal began in 2024 and marks Netflix’s significant entry into live sports broadcasting. This multi-year commitment allows Netflix to refine its live-streaming infrastructure, which faced significant scrutiny and technical “buffering” complaints during previous live events like the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight.

How Much Netflix Subscribers Pay to Watch NFL Games

NFL fans ahead of this Christmas Day football furore would need an active Netflix subscription to stream these exclusive NFL games. These fixtures are available across all existing subscription tiers:

Standard with ads: $7.99 per month

Standard: $17.99 per month

Premium: $24.99 per month

By partnering with a global powerhouse like Netflix, the NFL is transforming from a domestic pastime into a borderless digital event. This collaboration eliminates geographic barriers, instantly reaching Netflix’s 300+ million subscribers in over 190 countries. By leveraging “appointment viewing” on a global scale, the NFL is ensuring its future remains bright.