NFL Expands Streaming Era With New Netflix Deal; Also Announces Additional Primetime Games

The NFL is continuing the league’s push into streaming and more primetime programming after reaching a major new agreement with Netflix. The deal expands the platform’s football package through the 2029 season, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

The league’s latest media deal gives Netflix rights to three additional games while also reshaping portions of the NFL television schedule with multiple broadcast partners.

The agreement marks another major shift in the NFL’s ongoing transition toward streaming distribution, with Netflix now set to carry five NFL games during the 2026 season. The company had already aired Christmas Day games in recent seasons, but the new agreement significantly expands the streamer’s presence across the regular season.

Under the new package, Netflix will broadcast an opening-week international game, the league’s new Thanksgiving Eve matchup, two Christmas Day games, and a late-season Saturday game with playoff implications. The platform will also become the exclusive home of the annual NFL Honors awards ceremony beginning in 2027.

In addition to the Netflix move, the NFL reached agreements with traditional broadcast partner. As part of that, FOX Sports adds two more games and NBC Sports picks up another standalone matchup. CBS was also granted the ability to move one Sunday afternoon game into a standalone Saturday night broadcast later in the season.

New NFL Games and Broadcast Windows

The updated schedule structure introduces several major new viewing windows and international showcases for the upcoming season.

Key Games and New Broadcast Additions

• Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
  • Season-opening international game in Melbourne, Australia, on Netflix
• Green Bay Packers vs. Los Angeles Rams
  • First-ever NFL Thanksgiving Eve game on Netflix
• Two exclusive Christmas Day NFL games
  • Netflix continues its holiday football package
• New late-season Saturday primetime matchup
  • Standalone playoff-race game streamed on Netflix
• Additional FOX international game
  • Detroit Lions game in Munich added to FOX schedule

The expanded streaming package reflects the NFL’s broader strategy of maximizing national exposure across both traditional television and digital platforms.

The league has increasingly embraced streaming companies such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and YouTube as part of its long-term media strategy.

Betting Impact of the New NFL Media Deals

The NFL’s evolving television structure is also expected to have a growing impact on sports betting. Standalone games consistently generate some of the highest wagering volume of the season because bettors are focused on a single matchup rather than a full Sunday slate.

The addition of a Thanksgiving Eve game and more exclusive primetime windows could create major betting opportunities for sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. Markets expected to draw heavy interest include NFL live betting, player props, same-game parlays, and alternate lines.

International games have also become increasingly important betting events. Matchups played in Europe, Brazil, and Australia often attract unique wagering trends due to travel factors, neutral-site conditions, and unfamiliar kickoff times.

The NFL’s expanded standalone schedule may also continue shifting betting behavior toward streaming-driven viewing habits, particularly among younger audiences who increasingly consume games through mobile devices and digital platforms.

Streaming Expansion Continues

The latest deal reinforces the NFL’s position as the most valuable property in U.S. sports media. While some critics, including federal legislators, have raised concerns about fans needing multiple subscriptions to watch games, the league continues prioritizing global reach and larger media revenue opportunities.

Netflix’s growing involvement in live sports has also accelerated in recent years. In addition to NFL games, the company has expanded into WWE programming, boxing, and Major League Baseball coverage.