The Green Bay Packers are one of the oldest teams in the NFL, joining the league in 1921. Given that the team is over 100 years old, it has had ample opportunity to play on Thanksgiving.
The NFL began playing a game on Thanksgiving in 1920 and has played at least one game on the holiday every year since, except during World War II. In 1934, it was decided that the Detroit Lions would always host a home game on Thanksgiving. The Packers and Lions rivalry, plus the fact that they are now in the same division and play a home-and-away series every year, led to their being matched up on Thanksgiving several times.
Green Bay had another opportunity to play on Thanksgiving when the Dallas Cowboys decided to also host a home game every Thanksgiving starting in 1966. In 2006, the NFL expanded the Thanksgiving slate to three games, with the final game of the night not always featuring a specific team, and the Cowboys have also been featured in that game.
Green Bay has played on Thanksgiving 38 times, tied with the Chicago Bears for the third-most in history. The Packers' game against the Lions in 2025 is the 39th time that the franchise has played on Thanksgiving and breaks the tie with the Bears.
Here is more on how the Packers have played on Thanksgiving.
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Packers record on Thanksgiving
Green Bay has been featured on Thanksgiving 38 total times. The Packers have a 16-20-2 record all-time.
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How many times have the Packers played on Thanksgiving?
Green Bay was established as a football franchise in 1919. The NFL first played on Thanksgiving in 1920. The Packers played on Thanksgiving every year from 1923 to 1932 and again from 1951 to 1963.
The Lions opted to host a home game on Thanksgiving every year starting in 1934. With Green Bay in Detroit's division and the two teams playing an annual home-and-home series, the Packers have often played the Lions on Thanksgiving.
Green Bay is tied with the Chicago Bears for the third-most Thanksgiving games, with each team playing 38. The Packers will move into sole possession of third place with their 39th Thanksgiving game in 2025.
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When was the last time the Packers played on Thanksgiving?
The Packers last played on Thanksgiving in 2024. Green Bay wasn't called on to play either NFC opponent that always plays on Thanksgiving, who would be their most likely opponent.
Instead, the Packers hosted the Miami Dolphins and won 30-17.
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Packers Thanksgiving history
Date Matchup/Result Packers Thanksgiving record
Nov. 29, 1923 Packers def. Hammond Pros 19-0 1-0
Nov. 27, 1924 Packers def. Kansas City Blues 17-6 2-0
Nov. 26, 1925 Pottsville Maroons def. Packers 31-0 2-1
Nov. 25, 1926 Frankford Yellowjackets def. Packers 20-14 2-2
Nov. 24, 1927 Packers def. Yellowjackets 17-9 3-2
Nov. 29, 1928 Yellowjackets def. Packers 2-0 3-3
Nov. 28, 1929 Packers tie Yellowjackets 0-0 3-3-1
Nov. 27, 1930 Packers def. Yellowjackets 25-7 4-3-1
Nov. 26, 1931 Packers def. Providence Steam Roller 38-7 5-3-1
Nov. 24, 1932 Packers def. Brooklyn Dodgers 7-0 6-3-1
Nov. 29, 1934 Chicago Cardinals def. Packers 6-0 6-4-1
Nov. 28, 1935 Cardinals def. Packers 9-7 6-5-1
Nov. 22, 1951 Lions def. Packers 52-35 6-6-1
Nov. 27, 1952 Lions def. Packers 48-24 6-7-1
Nov. 26, 1953 Lions def. Packers 34-15 6-8-1
Nov. 25, 1954 Lions def. Packers 28-24 6-9-1
Nov. 24, 1955 Lions def. Packers 24-10 6-10-1
Nov. 22, 1956 Packers def. Lions 24-20 7-10-1
Nov. 28, 1957 Lions def. Packers 18-6 7-11-1
Nov. 27, 1958 Lions def. Packers 24-14 7-12-1
Nov. 26, 1959 Packers def. Lions 24-17 8-12-1
Nov. 24, 1960 Lions def. Packers 23-10 8-13-1
Nov. 23, 1961 Packers def. Lions 17-9 9-13-1
Nov. 22, 1962 Lions def. Packers 26-14 9-14-1
Nov. 28, 1963 Lions tie Packers 13-13 9-14-2
Nov. 26, 1970 Cowboys def. Packers 16-3 9-15-2
Nov. 22, 1984 Lions def. Packers 31-28 9-16-2
Nov. 27, 1986 Packers def. Lions 44-40 10-16-2
Nov. 24, 1994 Cowboys def. Packers 42-31 10-17-2
Nov. 22, 2001 Packers def. Lions 29-27 11-17-2
Nov. 27, 2003 Lions def. Packers 22-14 11-18-2
Nov. 22, 2007 Packers def. Lions 37-26 12-18-2
Nov. 26, 2009 Packers def. Lions 34-12 13-18-2
Nov. 24, 2011 Packers def. Lions 27-15 14-18-2
Nov. 27, 2013 Lions def. Packers 40-10 14-19-2
Nov. 26, 2015 Bears def. Packers 17-13 14-20-2
Nov. 23, 2023 Packers def. Lions 29-22 15-20-2
Nov. 28, 2024 Packers def. Dolphins 30-17 16-20-2
Nov. 26, 2025 Packers vs. Lions TBD
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