Christmas weekend usually provides a few extra games to enjoy, but this year, sports will be eating good. In the past, the holiday has been all about the NBA, with the league offering a full day of action. However, the NFL has decided to enter the chat and it’s bringing Beyonce and Mariah Carey to the party.As if that wasn’t enough, the College Football Playoff (CFP) is rolling out its first 12 team tournament, which kicks off Dec. 21. To help you balance family time with game time, we’ve got a helpful recap of where you can find the biggest games of Christmas weekend.
Dec. 20: CFP – No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame – ABC, ESPN
We’re not going to pretend to understand how the selection committee puts together the teams for the CFP, but college football fans seem very excited about these matchups. Indiana at Notre Dame airs live at 8 p.m. ET/5p.m. PT. For fans who want a different game experience, ESPN is offering its Megacast across its networks.
Dec. 21: CFP – No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State – TNT, TBS, truTV, Max with B/R Sports
Airing at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT, the return of college football is a big deal for TNT Sports as it expands its coverage beyond the NBA and NHL. If you’re not a sports fan, it’s important to remember to not get hung up on the seeding. The numbers are based on multiple elements including schedule, strength of wins conference championships.
Dec. 21: NFL – Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – NBC, Peacock
The NFL is calling its four special games a “Holiday Remix.” The big story here is whether Kansas City’s superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes will play following his high ankle sprain. He’s been practing with the team and reports seem to have him ready to play, but we won’t really know until game time at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.
Dec. 21: CFP – No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas – TNT, TBS, truTV, Max with B/R Sports
Following SMU and Penn State at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT, Clemson takes on powerhouse Texas. If you’re a college football fan, you know Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney has been on the hot seat and needs a strong performance in the playoff to quiet the critics.
Dec. 21: NFL – Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens – Fox
Kicking off at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT, archrivals the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens once again battle it out, but this there are playoff implications at stake as both teams fight for the best position. We also get another battle of superstar Black QBs, with the Steelers’ Russell Wilson and the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson squaring off.
Dec. 21: CFP – No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State – ABC, ESPN
Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day is literally competing for his job when the game kicks off at 8 p.m ET/5 p.m. PT. His seat couldn’t be hotter. If he loses this game, he may have to immediately leave Ohio.
Dec. 25: NBA – San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks – ABC, ESPN
Enjoy your Christmas brunch at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT, as second year Spurs star Victor Wembanyama brings his otherworldly skills to Madison Square Garden.
Dec. 25: NFL – Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – Netflix
The NFL’s “Holiday Remix” switches things up with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs heading to Pittsburgh to take on Russell Wilson, TJ Watt and the Steelers at 1p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. It will beinteresting to see how each team handles the short week.
Dec. 25: NBA – Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks – ABC, ESPN
It’s a Western Conference Finals rematch when the Timberwolves try to get revenge on the Mavericks at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT.
Dec. 25: NFL – Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans – Netflix
With apologies to Lamar Jackson and CJ Stroud, you guys are great, but we’re here to see Beyonce’s halftime show. The game starts at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT, so make sure time your Christmas Day activities properly.
Dec. 25: NBA – Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics – ABC, ESPN
Airing at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, this is the game you can probably skip while you’re spending time with your family. Philly has been about drama, more than basketball, while Boston looks like they’re headed back to the Finals.
Dec. 25: NBA – Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors – ABC, ESPN
It wouldn’t be an NBA Christmas Day without LeBron James and Steph Curry. The legends battle it out in primetime at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The Lakers aren’t good right now, while the Warriors have found their groove, so we’re not expecting an overly competitive affair.
Dec. 25: NBA – Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns – ABC, ESPN
Your long Christmas sports day comes to an end at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p/m/ PT, as the Nuggets take on the Suns. It’s a shame this is on so late, because it might be the best matchup of the day.
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