Netflix, NFL Bolster Alliance: More Years, Games, Programming, Activations
Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 04:08PM By Barry Janoff
May 14, 2026: Netflix acquired broadcast rights to NFL games in 2024, exclusively airing the league’s first Christmas Day games, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens.
On Christmas Day 2025, Netflix exclusively aired the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings.
This year, the over-the-top streaming television service will have five games and other events, including opening the NFL international season Sept. 10 with the San Francisco 49ers-Los Angeles Rams game from Australia, the league’s first Thanksgiving Eve game and NFL Honors during Super Bowl LXI this February.
Netflix said it has revised its deal with the league to run through the 2029-30 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Rams-49ers will air on Netflix live from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Heading into the holiday season, Netflix will add the NFL’s first Thanksgiving Eve game in its history (Nov. 25) to its plate, featuring the Green Bay Packers visiting the Rams in SoFi Stadium.
Netflix will again air two games on Dec. 25 — Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears (1 PM ET) and Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET). A third Xmas Day game — Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks — will air on Fox that evening.
Also new for this NFL season is a Jan. 9 game, the final weekend of the regular season.
“A lot of people think of us as a place to build your brand,” Nicolle Pangis, Netflix’ vp-advertising, said during its UpFront presentation earlier this week. “And we are very good at doing that.
“But we also drive results down the funnel. It’s no surprise that ads on Netflix drive greater attention, more brand awareness, higher engagement and more search and web visits. But they also drive higher sales lift, purchase intent and return on ad spend compared to our competitors.”
Netflix said it is expected to reach its goal of doubling ad revenue to $3 billion this year.
“If the last couple of years were proving we’re a durable player, this year is about establishing ourselves as a more formidable one,” Amy Reinhard, Netflix president of advertising, said at the Upfront. “We’re ready to compete with anyone.”
Netflix’s NFL games in 2026 will be available in more 200 countries around the world. These games will also be available on local, over-the-air broadcast television in the respective team markets.
Netflix said last year’s Christmas Day broadcast of the Detroit Lions versus the Minnesota Vikings was the most-streamed NFL regular season game in U.S. history.
Netflix is also solidifying its NFL alliance via such programming as the July 14 return of the documentary series Quarterback, this season featuring Jayden Daniels, Baker Mayfield, Cam Ward and Joe Flacco.
The Dallas Cowboys’ legacy is explored through two lenses: the high-stakes auditions in America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the 1990s dynasty chronicled in America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys.
The Emmy-nominated documentary Elway, highlights John Elway’s transition from Hall of Fame quarterback to Denver Broncos general manager.
See the complete NFL ’26 schedule here.
NFL International Sked Sites Nine Games, Seven Cities, 16 Teams
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