The NFL’s Thanksgiving schedule has always been one of the most anticipated traditions in American sports, with millions tuning in as families gather for food, football, and festivities. But in 2025, fans will notice a significant change: the league has adjusted the kickoff time for the Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving game, breaking a 42-year tradition.
NFL Moves Lions’ Thanksgiving Kickoff to 1 p.m. ET
Since 1983, the Detroit Lions have opened Thanksgiving Day with a 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff. That slot became synonymous with the holiday. However, when the 2025 NFL schedule was released, commissioner Roger Goodell announced a new start time: 1 p.m. ET.
This marks the first change to the Lions’ Thanksgiving kickoff time in over four decades.
Goodell explained the decision during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show:
“We’re probably going to move from a 12:30 Eastern start to 1:00. We’ll go back to the traditional windows… 1, roll right into Dallas, and then roll into primetime.”
The NFL’s Reason for the Thanksgiving Time Change
The “traditional broadcast window” for NFL games begins at 1 p.m. ET, and the league reportedly wanted Thanksgiving to mirror a typical Sunday slate. By doing so, the NFL creates a smoother flow from:
1 p.m. ET: Lions game
4:30 p.m. ET: Cowboys game
8:20 p.m. ET: Primetime matchup
This adjustment eliminates the one-hour gap that often existed between the Lions and Cowboys games, creating nearly non-stop football throughout the afternoon and evening.
Benefits for West Coast Fans
The time change also helps fans on the West Coast. Instead of a 9:30 a.m. PT kickoff, the first Thanksgiving game will now start at 10 a.m. PT, making it slightly easier for viewers to enjoy the opening matchup without such an early start.
A Major Shift in a Long-Standing Tradition
The Lions have played on Thanksgiving for nearly a century, making any change to tradition feel huge. While some fans appreciate the old 12:30 p.m. slot, others welcome a more natural alignment with the NFL’s regular broadcast schedule.
Regardless of where fans stand, the 2025 Thanksgiving Lions-Packers matchup marks a new chapter in how the NFL structures one of its biggest holiday events.
