If you were looking for the Kansas City Chiefs on your local CBS or FOX affiliate this past Christmas, you probably spent a good chunk of your holiday yelling at the remote. The NFL’s 2025 holiday schedule was a bit of a curveball. Honestly, the league has completely changed the "traditional" way we watch football on December 25th.
For those trying to piece together what happened or looking for the replay details, the answer to what time do chiefs play christmas day was 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. CT for the local Kingdom fans).
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It was the "nightcap" of an NFL tripleheader. But unlike the early games that lived on Netflix, the Chiefs and the Denver Broncos were strictly an Amazon Prime Video affair.
The Christmas Day Kickoff: Why Timing Mattered
The 2025 matchup at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium wasn't just another game. It was a Thursday night. Because Christmas fell on a Thursday in 2025, the NFL folded its "Thursday Night Football" package into the holiday slate. This is why the kickoff was pushed to that specific 8:15 p.m. ET window.
Most years, you get a midday game while you're opening presents and a late afternoon game while you're eating turkey. This year, the Chiefs were the "main event" under the lights.
The 2025 Christmas Tripleheader Times
- 1:00 p.m. ET: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders (Netflix)
- 4:30 p.m. ET: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings (Netflix)
- 8:15 p.m. ET: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Prime Video)
It’s kinda wild to think about, but the Chiefs have now played on Christmas for three straight years. In 2023, they lost a frustrating one to the Raiders. In 2024, they traveled to Pittsburgh. By 2025, it felt like the NFL basically decided the Chiefs are the official holiday "house band" of the league.
Why the 2025 Game Felt Different
Usually, when people ask what time do chiefs play christmas day, they’re expecting the Patrick Mahomes highlight reel. 2025 was... different.
By the time the December 25th kickoff rolled around, the Chiefs were in a spot nobody predicted back in August. Mahomes was out with a knee injury. Backup Gardner Minshew was also sidelined. That left the keys to the offense to Chris Oladokun.
Watching a third-stringer start a marquee Christmas game against a Denver Broncos team that had already clinched a playoff spot was a tough pill for the Kingdom to swallow. The Broncos entered the game 12–3, while the Chiefs were struggling at 6–9. It wasn't the "Super Bowl preview" the schedule-makers envisioned in May.
Where to Watch if You Missed the Live Stream
Since the game was an Amazon Prime Video exclusive, it didn't just "show up" on your TV unless you lived in the local Kansas City or Denver markets. In those cities, local stations (like KSHB in KC) usually carry the game to satisfy NFL broadcast rules.
If you're trying to find a replay now that the holiday has passed, you have a couple of options:
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- NFL+: The league’s own subscription service usually has full and condensed replays available within hours of the whistle.
- Prime Video Replay: If you have an Amazon subscription, they typically keep the "Thursday Night Football" broadcasts available for a limited time.
Basically, the era of "free" holiday football on broadcast TV is shrinking. With Netflix grabbing the first two slots and Amazon holding the nightcap, you almost need a spreadsheet just to keep track of your passwords before kickoff.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you’re looking forward to next season or trying to catch up on the 2025 fallout, here is what you should do:
- Check the 2026 Schedule Early: The NFL usually releases the full schedule in mid-May. Given the ratings, don't be surprised if the Chiefs are scheduled for a fourth consecutive Christmas appearance, as December 25, 2026, falls on a Friday.
- Manage Your Subscriptions: If you only care about the Chiefs, you can usually sign up for a free trial of Prime Video or Netflix in December and cancel before the January billing cycle hits.
- Watch for Roster News: Since the 2025 season ended without a playoff berth for KC, the focus has shifted to the 2026 draft and whether veterans like Travis Kelce will return for one more run.
The Chiefs playing on Christmas has become a new tradition, for better or worse. Whether they are Super Bowl favorites or playing with a third-string QB, they're going to be on your screen while you're cleaning up wrapping paper.