The NFL will continue it's long-standing tradition of playing three games consecutively on Thanksgiving Thursday, but another fixture could be added to the list with Roger Goodell considering options
14:55 ET, 11 Mar 2026Updated 14:59 ET, 11 Mar 2026
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has received pushback from past and present NFL players over his claim about international games
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could make another big schedule change(Image: Getty)
The NFL is considering adding another game to its Thanksgiving schedule with another controversial Wednesday fixture.
NFL players have not been keen on playing games with just two full days rest, but may have to do so once again should the reported 'pre-Thanksgiving Day game' go ahead with commissioner Roger Goodell weighing up his options, USA Sports has reported.
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The league has played three consecutive games on Thanksgiving Thursday for the past 20 years, with a fourth potentially being added to the calendar. The schedule is not set to be released until May, with the league having time to consider its options and sell the TV rights should they insist on going ahead with another Wednesday game.
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In recent years, the NFL has added a Black Friday game after Thanksgiving Thursday, continuing to play games throughout the week.
It comes as rumors of an 18th game being added have been floated around for the past four years, with Goodell suggesting that move is not yet close.
Speaking at the Super Bowl, Goodell said: "We have not had any formal discussions about it and frankly very little of any informal conversations.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love and defensive end Micah Parsons celebrate on the field with teammates on Thanksgiving
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Jordan Love and the Packers enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast on the field after beating the Detroit Lions(Image: Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
"It is not a given that we will do that. It's not something we assume will happen. It's something we want to talk about with the union leadership."
Speaking in 2023, the NFL's executive vice president of media, Hans Schroeder stated that they are not keen on playing games on Wednesdays - with players having less time to recover.
He said: "We're not looking to play football on a Tuesday or Wednesday at this point, especially this late in the year as we get close to the postseason. We want to focus on the run to the playoffs and for that competitive equity to really shine through.
"I don't think we're going to look at Tuesday or Wednesday football. We're looking at the days where we're already playing football and have the opportunity to celebrate something larger on a holiday with a lot of our fans together."
Patrick Mahomes will face Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
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Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs played on Thanksgiving and Christmas last year(Image: 2025 Kevin Sabitus)
However, the NFL then played a game on Wednesday the following season.
Schroeder then stated: "From what we've seen the last couple years is really some unprecedent growth, and not just on Christmas, on Thanksgiving, too. The last couple of years have had the highest-regular season game ever viewed in the regular season. That mindset, that opportunity, that belief we have that football brings people together - that's even truer on these big holidays that happen throughout the year."
The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys play home games on Thanksgiving Thursday, with every other team to be considered to play in the other game, as well as the following on Black Friday.
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