NFL Thanksgiving viewership records could be broken this season, as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys, who have been dominating statistics, meet in Week 13
20:24 ET, 06 Nov 2025
Patrick Mahomes will face Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving
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Patrick Mahomes will face Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving(Image: 2025 Kevin Sabitus)
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys have topped viewership figures across the NFL this season, and could break Thanksgiving records when they meet on Nov. 27.
There is a triple-header of NFL games on Thanksgiving, kicking off Week 13 in style. The Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys host the Chiefs, before the Baltimore Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals in the primetime slot on Thursday, Nov. 27.
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A new Thanksgiving viewership record was set in 2024, but no teams have been watched more than the Chiefs and the Cowboys this season. The two organizations could help move the needle even further, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has already sent an unconditional offer to Taylor Swift ahead of the game.
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According to Front Office Sports, the Chiefs and Cowboys have dominated viewership through Week 9, with an average of 17.8 million viewers recorded for NFL games this season. Eight of the 10 most-watched games this season have featured Dallas or Kansas City.
A new NFL Thanksgiving viewership record was set last year, as the Chicago Bears faced the Lions, the New York Giants faced the Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins faced the Packers. The average viewership across all three games was 34.2 million.
The NFL celebrated record viewership on Thanksgiving in 2024
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The NFL celebrated record viewership on Thanksgiving in 2024(Image: 2024 Todd Rosenberg)
It was the highest average since records began in 1988, and streaming platforms broadcasting the game saw a 36 percent increase. While neither the Chiefs nor the Cowboys have excelled on the field this season, viewers continue to return.
The Cowboys are often cited as the most popular team in the NFL, despite not winning a Super Bowl since the 1995 season. Dallas is 3-5 this season and is at risk of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
The Chiefs have also surged in popularity since 2018, when Patrick Mahomes became the franchise quarterback after being selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. While five Super Bowl appearances and three championships have widened exposure, Swift's association has also impacted viewership.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have boosted the Kansas City Chiefs' popularity
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Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have boosted the Kansas City Chiefs' popularity(Image: Getty Images)
Swift is now engaged to tight end Travis Kelce, and her frequent presence at games has led to a blatant surge in viewership and revenue. Should she attend the Thanksgiving game at AT&T Stadium, it could boost viewing figures to record highs.
The Chiefs are 5-4 this season, and the Week 13 clash could be a crucial game as Kansas City currently sits third in the AFC West division. While Swift often attends home games at Arrowhead Stadium, her road attendance is less frequent.
Ahead of the Thanksgiving clash, Cowboys owner Jones made sure that Swift was made to feel welcome at AT&T Stadium. Speaking on his weekly segment on 104.3 The Fan in Dallas in October, Jones sent Swift an "elaborate" offer.
Jerry Jones wants Taylor Swift to attend the Thanksgiving game
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Jerry Jones wants Taylor Swift to attend the Thanksgiving game(Image: Getty)
"We would have an elaborate seat for her if she should attend the game," Jones said. "There’s nobody a bigger fan of Taylor Swift than I am.
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"More importantly, we all are [fans of Swift]. So, I appreciate, buying through her Kansas City connection there, the kind of interest that she has and that she has brought to the NFL. I can’t get enough Taylor Swift."