Thanksgiving is more than just a feast of turkey and pie—it's a celebration of epic matchups and time-honored traditions, with the NFL and NCAA taking center stage. In 2025, fans can expect a sports viewing experience as full as their dinner plates, stretching from early Thursday games through a thrilling Black Friday lineup.
Thankfully, the NFL and the NCAA have more than delivered in 2025, with a Thanksgiving and Black Friday sports schedule packed with fierce rivalries and undeniable action.
On the menu this year? An NFL football tripleheader on Thanksgiving, paired nicely with two marquee college hoops matchups. And just when the table clears, Black Friday delivers a fresh plate of football and basketball drama worthy of second helpings.
Thanksgiving Day —Thursday, November 27th—NFL and College Basketball Matchups
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions — 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
A highlight of this year’s 2025 Thanksgiving sports schedule: the ultimate NFC North showdown, kicking off at 1 p.m. Eastern time on FOX.
Building on a long tradition, the Detroit Lions will play their 86th Turkey Day game. They'll be hunting revenge against the Green Bay Packers, who defeated them handily in both Week 1 and in their 2023 Thanksgiving clash.
With both squads jockeying for the NFC North crown, this game could tip the playoff balance in a major way.
North Carolina vs Michigan State — 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX
Fans with an appetite for college basketball will love this Fort Myers Tip-Off matchup at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
North Carolina aims to rebound from back-to-back disappointing seasons, turning to high-flying freshman Caleb Wilson and returning standout Seth Trimble.
Meanwhile, Michigan State returns with expectations following last year’s deep tournament run. With Tom Izzo on the sideline, the Spartans are always a threat come March. This Top 25 battle is a tone-setter for two programs craving an early-season Quad 1 win.
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys — 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+
This marquee afternoon matchup features two of the league's most high-profile franchises in a battle that could shape playoff seeding.
The Dallas Cowboys are looking to prove they can still contend without Micah Parsons, who was controversially traded to Green Bay earlier this season.
The formerly invincible Kansas City Chiefs have been merely solid this season. They're in need of consistency and a hot finish to score a playoff berth and a chance at a fourth consecutive trip to the Super Bowl. CBS and Paramount+ will provide all the action beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.
Duke vs Arkansas — 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+
At 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS and Paramount+, two historic college basketball programs collide at the United Center in the 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic.
Fresh off a heartbreaking Final Four loss, Duke reloads with freshman twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer, as head coach Jon Scheyer continues to build his own legacy after Coach K.
Blending a host of returnees like D.J. Wagner, Trevon Brazile, and Karter Knox with elite freshman phenoms, Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, Arkansas counters with a reenergized squad under new head coach John Calipari. This early-season clash could preview a high-stakes rematch in March. It almost happened last year, but Calipari is due for a deep NCAA tournament run after a string of early exits since 2019.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens — 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock
The cruelty of sports will be on full display in this primetime AFC North clash. With Joe Burrow out indefinitely, the Cincinnati Bengals are desperately clinging to fast-fading playoff hopes. They'll need Joe Flacco to keep tapping into the fountain of youth against a Baltimore Ravens team trying to claw back into playoff contention after navigating a slew of significant injury setbacks.
Bragging rights and pride are on the line when this bitter rivalry unfolds at 8:20 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock. A healthy Lamar Jackson should swing the momentum—and the rivalry—in Baltimore's favor.
Black Friday—Friday, November 28—NFL, College Football, and College Basketball Matchups
UCONN vs Illinois — 12:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden
The UConn Huskies return to action looking to rebound from a disappointing second-round exit in last season’s NCAA Tournament. Their championship pedigree and elite defensive intensity make them a threat to cut down the nets again this year.
Illinois, led by veteran coach Brad Underwood, brings a seasoned roster and an aggressive defensive identity to The Garden. This neutral-site showdown offers a major résumé opportunity for both squads in front of a national audience.
Marquette vs Oklahoma — 1:00 p.m. ET at Credit Union 1 Arena
Marquette faces Oklahoma in a neutral-site battle that brings plenty of intrigue to Chicago. Marquette, a Big East powerhouse under head coach Shaka Smart, enters with continuity and edge. Despite losing some key players, they return rising stars like Chase Ross and Ben Gold, giving them the tools for another deep March run.
The Sooners are led by head coach Porter Moser, who famously took Loyola Chicago to the Final Four in 2018. He’s now building a new identity in Norman, leaning on transfers and high-upside youth to generate momentum. This will be the first-ever meeting between these programs—and with Moser back coaching in his hometown, the chess match on the sidelines should be just as compelling as the one on the court.
Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles — 3:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video
The crown jewel of the 2025 Black Friday sports schedule is a 3 p.m. Eastern kickoff on Amazon Prime.
The Philadelphia Eagles are defending Super Bowl champions, built on a punishing run game led by Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, and a physical offensive line. But can their passing game evolve so they’re not so one-dimensional?
The Chicago Bears bring a young, ascending roster to the stage with Caleb Williams in Year 2. After overcoming the growing pains of his rookie season, Williams has shown flashes of high-ceiling play under innovative coach Ben Johnson, and this matchup serves as a key litmus test for how legitimate Chicago’s playoff trajectory is. Their passing offense is still evolving, but the direction is clear: they believe they’re ready to make noise.
This game could very well become a playoff preview—expect high stakes, intensity, and a showcase of how far both franchises have come.
Georgia Bulldogs at Georgia Tech — 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
The Georgia Bulldogs have bounced back strongly after a tough early-season loss to Alabama, asserting themselves once again as one of the top teams in the SEC. With a physical defensive front and steady quarterback play from Gunner Stockton, Georgia has regained its form and remains firmly in the College Football Playoff hunt. The Bulldogs have won five straight in this rivalry and bring major momentum into Atlanta.
Georgia Tech enters this matchup amidst one of its most successful seasons in modern history. Their offense has found rhythm behind Haynes King, who has added a big-play element both through the air and on the ground. The Yellow Jackets have turned heads and positioned themselves as a team that can play playoff spoiler—and possibly more.
This in-state battle isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s a collision between a perennial power on a mission and an underdog trending upward with something to prove.
Texas A&M at Texas — 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
The Lone Star Showdown is back in Austin with real stakes. Texas A&M rolls in with one of the toughest defenses in the country and a steady, confident offense. Texas, behind Arch Manning, has bounced back from early setbacks and continues to find its rhythm.
What makes this game pop isn’t just the rankings or records—it’s the tension built over a decade without this rivalry, and the fact that both teams still have something to prove. Pride, postseason hopes, and bragging rights all hang in the balance.
Refine Your Game Day Look This Thanksgiving Weekend
From hard-hitting rivalries to buzzer-beating showdowns, the Thanksgiving and Black Friday sports schedule is packed with can’t-miss moments. Whether you're watching with family or hosting the crew, it’s the perfect time to celebrate tradition, competition, and team pride.
Make your weekend even more memorable: gear up in officially licensed apparel from Cutter & Buck’s NFL Shop and NCAA Shop and rep your team in comfort, confidence, and style.
