Thanksgiving Day is one of the busiest sports days of the year, headlined by the NFL‘s traditional tripleheader. However, 2025 brings a massive slate of college action that rivals the pros, including blue-blood basketball matchups and prime-time football.
Here is your complete viewer’s guide for Thursday, November 27, 2025.
The Main Event: NFL Tripleheader
The three traditional windows offering wall-to-wall football.
| Time (ET) | Matchup | Network | The Gist |
| 1:00 PM | Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions | FOX | The classic NFC North rivalry kicks off the day. Detroit hosts their annual Turkey Day game against a familiar foe. |
| 4:30 PM | Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys | CBS | Game of the Day. Patrick Mahomes visits Jerry World in the marquee slot of the day. |
| 8:20 PM | Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens | NBC | A heated AFC North grudge match caps off the night. Expect fireworks between Burrow and Jackson. |
College Basketball: Feast Week Frenzy
This year’s slate is unusually stacked with major programs playing directly against the NFL. Look for these top-tier matchups.
The Heavyhitters (Must Watch)
- 4:30 PM ET | UNC vs. Michigan State (FOX)
- Why watch: A massive blue-blood clash airing right after the Lions game. This is part of the Fort Myers Tip-Off.
- 7:00 PM ET | Duke vs. Arkansas (CBS)
- Why watch: A prime-time showcase at the United Center in Chicago. Coach Calipari leads the Razorbacks against the Blue Devils in a high-stakes non-conference tilt.
College Football: Under the Radar
While the NFL dominates, there are two specific games for college diehards.
- 3:00 PM ET | Tuskegee vs. Alabama State
- Network: SWAC TV
- Note: The “Turkey Day Classic,” one of the oldest HBCU rivalries in the country.
- 7:30 PM ET | Navy vs. Memphis
- Network: ESPN
- Note: A solid AAC matchup that serves as a great second-screen option to the Bengals/Ravens game.
❌ Who is NOT Playing?
Don’t go looking for these leagues—they are taking the holiday off.
- NBA: The league takes Thanksgiving off completely. The schedule resumes with a massive slate on Friday.
- NHL: No games scheduled. The league traditionally goes dark on Thanksgiving and returns with the “Thanksgiving Showdown” games on Friday.
Your “Remote Control” Strategy
- Morning/Afternoon: Packers/Lions.
- Late Afternoon: The Chiefs/Cowboys game is the main event, but keep an eye on UNC/Michigan State on FOX during commercials.
- Evening: Duke/Arkansas on CBS is perfect for dinner viewing. Once the dishes are done, settle in for Bengals/Ravens on NBC or catch the Navy/Memphis game if you prefer college action.
