The final piece of the NFL broadcasting puzzle for 2026 appears to be complete. Netflix is adding additional games to its slate.
What We Know: What had long been rumored is now confirmed. Netflix will broadcast the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams from Melbourne. That game takes place on Thursday, September 10th. The streaming platform has also added a game on Thanksgiving Eve between the Rams and Green Bay Packers. Netflix will also stream a game on Saturday, January 9th. The matchup for that contest has yet-to-be announced. It will also broadcast at least one game on Christmas Day. Additionally, the deal is extended through the 2030 season.
What Remains Unclear: If Netflix will broadcast a doubleheader during the 2026 season on Christmas Day, as it did last year. The network has been coy about whether it is broadcasting one game or two on the holiday. It has simply referred to the window as “Christmas Gameday.” The streaming platform has also not announced broadcast crews for its slate of games.
What’s At Stake: Netflix’s NFL schedule expansion comes as the NFL is under scrutiny for its streaming inventory increasing in recent years. The FCC has stated it is considering an investigation into whether or not the arrangement violates the antitrust exemption the league has.
What It Means: Barring a shock announcement, the schedule from Netflix confirms that there will not be an NFL broadcast on YouTube in 2026. The only conceivable option still outstanding is a second game on Christmas Day that Netflix has all but confirmed to have received.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries.Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.