Detroit Lions to Celebrate 86th Thanksgiving Game with Slight Kickoff Time Shift for 2025 Season

This year marks the 86th Thanksgiving Day game for the Detroit Lions, a cherished tradition that has become synonymous with the holiday for many NFL fans. However, there could be a slight change for the 2025 season, with the NFL announcing a minor adjustment to the Lions’ traditional kickoff time.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday that the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game will now kick off at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, instead of the usual 12:30 p.m. start. This small change is part of a broader effort to streamline the Thanksgiving Day slate of games. Goodell explained that the move is designed to better align the game schedules, stating, “One little small change, we’re probably going to move from a 12:30 Eastern start to 1:00. We’ll go back to the traditional windows. So they’ll be 1, roll right into Dallas, and then roll into the primetime game.”

While this shift may seem minor, it has significant implications for the flow of the day’s football action. Traditionally, there has been a notable gap between the end of the Lions’ 12:30 p.m. game and the start of the Cowboys’ 4:30 p.m. game. The new schedule will condense this window, giving fans a tighter transition between games and allowing for more seamless viewing of the NFL’s marquee Thanksgiving Day matchups.

For fans who enjoy using the time between games to grab a second plate of turkey or take a break before the afternoon festivities, this schedule change might require some quick thinking. If you’re looking to catch the start of the Cowboys’ game without missing any of the action from Detroit’s contest, it’s probably best to get ahead of the line at the dinner table.

While the shift of just 30 minutes may not be a game-changer for most viewers, it does highlight how the NFL is working to fine-tune the Thanksgiving Day experience. The Lions’ game, long a staple of the holiday, will continue to draw millions of viewers, and now they’ll get an even tighter transition into the rest of the day’s festivities.

As Detroit prepares for its 86th Thanksgiving Day game, this minor adjustment in timing could offer a fresh, faster-paced rhythm for fans and players alike. Whether you’re cheering for the Lions or getting ready for the Dallas Cowboys’ game, one thing is certain: Thanksgiving football will remain a centerpiece of holiday celebrations across the nation.