The NFL has made a notable change to the kickoff time for the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, marking a significant shift after 42 years of tradition. In 2025, the Lions” game will commence at 1 p.m. ET, a departure from the customary 12:30 p.m. ET start.
This adjustment aligns the kickoff with the league”s traditional broadcasting schedule. Other games on Thanksgiving are set to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET and 8:20 p.m. ET, which are in line with the typical Sunday game times. The previous schedule placed the Lions” game earlier than any other domestic match on the NFL calendar.
Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed this change on the Pat McAfee Show, explaining, “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.” He further elaborated that this new schedule will allow for a seamless transition into the Dallas Cowboys” game and the subsequent primetime matchup.
This change, while subtle, signifies an important shift in a long-standing custom that fans have come to expect. The Lions have been a fixture on Thanksgiving Day, and this new approach aims to enhance the viewing experience by better integrating with the overall day”s broadcast.
As the NFL continues to evolve, fans will be keeping an eye on how these adjustments impact the traditional Thanksgiving football experience.
