The Ultimate 2026 Christmas Sports Schedule: Get Primed for the Most Loaded Day of the Year

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December 25 is no longer just about opening presents, eating too much, and debating whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

It’s become one of the best days of the year for sports fans.

2026 takes that to another level, with eight NFL and NBA games running from noon ET until late into the night. The NFL brings three marquee matchups, while the NBA has just announced its five-game showcase.

Here’s our guide to the ultimate Christmas Day sports schedule, including every NFL and NBA game, current odds, an early pick and — most importantly — how to plan your day around the action.

Your 2026 Christmas Day schedule🎅

• 1:00 p.m. ET — Packers at Bears

• 4:30 p.m. ET — Bills at Broncos

• 9:15 p.m. ET — Rams at Seahawks

• 11:30 p.m. ET — Nuggets at Warriors

Spurs at Knicks (1 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC)

Spurs at Knicks opening odds

🎁 Presents: OPENED

The real festivities begin with a rematch of the 2026 NBA Finals, as San Antonio heads to Madison Square Garden to face the defending champion Knicks.

While you mix in a mimosa or two, expect the more motivated Spurs side to avenge last year’s Finals loss to New York, with Wemby playing Grinch in Gotham. 

Early pick: Spurs moneyline (em-105 at DraftKings/em)

Packers at Bears (1 p.m. ET, Netflix)

Packers at Bears opening odds

🍳 Breakfast: OUT OF THE WAY

The NFL gets its Christmas Day party started with one of the league’s oldest rivalries… and one that no longer features Aaron Rodgers putting belt to ass. 

Chicago hosts Green Bay after beating the Packers twice last season, including a miracle comeback in the Wild Card round. 

I expect Chicago to be even better in Ben Johnson’s second year, so I’ll take the Bears at home. 

Early pick: Bears moneyline (em-118 at DraftKings/em)

Heat at Celtics (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC)

Heat at Celtics opening odds

🦃 Turkey: IN THE OVEN

Last call to get the turkey into the oven, and it’s time to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo cook at the Garden.

Erik Spoelstra’s team is 9-0 on Christmas, and I’m all over Miami in this spot. 

Early pick: Heat moneyline (em+154 at DraftKings/em)

Bills at Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET, Netflix)

Bills at Broncos opening odds

😴 Pre-Dinner Nap at Halftime: MANDATORY

Josh Allen gets another crack at the Broncos, just like you do at another helping of your favorite Xmas dishes.

This matchup will most definitely be pivotal for AFC seeding, and I like Buffalo to exorcise some demons at Mile High.

Early pick: Bills moneyline (em-130 at DraftKings/em)

76ers at Lakers (6 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC)

76ers at Lakers opening odds

🍽️ Dinner: SERVED

LeBron James makes his 21st Christmas Day appearance as he returns to Los Angeles, this time in a Sixers uniform.

This feels like the kind of game where Philly dominates for three quarters before the Lakers inexplicably pull off a massive fourth-quarter comeback and set Twitter on fire.

Take the home side and bet on a Hollywood finish. 

Early pick: Lakers moneyline (em-115 at DraftKings/em)

Thunder at Timberwolves (9 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC)

Thunder at Timberwolves opening odds

🍗 Leftovers: IN PLAY

Jon Metler is bullish on LaMelo Ball taking Minnesota over the top against OKC in his NBA Christmas Day predictions, and we’re in firm agreement. 

If your family is still gathered around the table, maybe keep the phone in your pocket, and if you’re going to take any peeks, this is a great time to follow the game along on our brand-new Covers app!

Early pick: Timberwolves +3.5 (em-110 at DraftKings/em)

Rams at Seahawks (9:15 p.m. ET, FOX)

Rams at Seahawks opening odds

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Time: OPTIONAL

Last year, we got Chris Oladokun vs. Bo Nix (woof), but this time, Christmas night brings a matchup between arguably the two best teams in the NFL.

This divisional rivalry has produced one-score finishes in all five of their meetings under Mike Macdonald and Sean McVay. 

The 12th Man is going to be rocking in the PNW, and while Los Angeles may be the Super Bowl favorite, it’s hard to go against the defending champs on primetime.

Early pick: Seahawks moneyline (em-130 at DraftKings/em)

Nuggets at Warriors (11:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC)

Nuggets at Warriors opening odds

🎄Christmas: SURVIVED

Nikola Jokic and Steph Curry close out the night in the Bay Area, with two of the biggest stars of their generation taking the floor.

Jokic is no stranger to lighting it up on the Xmas stage, last boasting a 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist performance against Minny last season.

Everybody else has already fallen asleep. I’m tallying up Jokic’s PRA and taking the Nuggets to win. 

Early pick: Nuggets moneyline (em-155 at DraftKings/em)

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.