The NBA has long enjoyed playing games on Christmas Day, but the NFL has recently flexed its muscles and taken over the holiday to the frustration of Charles Barkley
18:26 ET, 25 Dec 2025
Netflix is broadcasting Christmas Day games for the second time
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Netflix is broadcasting Christmas Day games for the second time(Image: Getty Images)
Charles Barkley could not hide his anger as he accused the NFL of trying to steal Christmas Day.
Traditionally, the NFL has only played on Christmas Day when it lined up with the league’s usual schedule. However, since 2020, the NFL has staged at least one game on Christmas, attempting to capitalize on the market for viewers.
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The NFL's experiment on Christmas has been a success over the last few years, and Netflix has returned for more in 2025. Despite Christmas being on a Wednesday last year, the NFL staged a doubleheader on Netflix, as the streaming giant has paid $150 million annually to secure a pair of Christmas games as part of a three-year deal.
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The Dallas Cowboys take on the Washington Commanders in the first game, followed by the Detroit Lions facing the Minnesota Vikings and the injury-hit Kansas City Chiefs meeting the Denver Broncos. However, the pre-game coverage was criticised due to some interesting faces on the stream.
Even before it aired, Netflix had one vocal critic in the form of Barkley. He is furious over the NFL attempting to steal Christmas from the NBA, as the holiday is a major date on the league’s calendar; five NBA games take place on Dec. 25 each season, tipping off at noon.
During NBA Tipoff on ESPN on Thursday, Barkley declared: “The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games. We used to have this day to ourself, but Roger Goodell and them pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now.
“Christmas is an NBA day.”
The 2025 NBA slate marks the 78th year the league has held games on Christmas, with the New York Knicks securing a tight win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Then, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs engage in the latest chapter of their rivalry with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Charles Barkley is not a fan of the NFL's decision to stage games on Netflix
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Charles Barkley is not a fan of the NFL's decision to stage games on Netflix(Image: Getty Images)
Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors take on the Dallas Mavericks, who have No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, before LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers host Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets. Finally, Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Barkley will be pleased to see Netflix’s on-field product seemingly struggle. Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota are out and will be replaced by Josh Johnson for the Washington Commanders, while JJ McCarthy and Carson Wentz are absent for the Minnesota Vikings.
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The Chiefs — who have sensationally missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 — are also without both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew. In successive weeks, the Chiefs lost their two quarterbacks to torn ACLs, with Mahomes now in a race against time to return in time for the 2026 season.
As a result, fans will get to watch Chris Oladokun take on the high-flying Broncos. Even after a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 12-3 Broncos still lead the division and the conference.
The Broncos can clinch the AFC West title if they beat the Chiefs on Christmas Day and the Houston Texans either defeat or tie with the 11-4 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.