NFL Announces 4th Annual John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration

Photo credit: National Football League

ARLINGTON, Texas (TXAN 24) — The NFL is set to carry on one of its newest holiday traditions next Thursday with the fourth annual John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration, honoring the late Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster who became synonymous with Thanksgiving football.

Madden once said there was nowhere he’d rather be on Thanksgiving than at a football game, and the league continues to reflect that spirit across all three matchups on Nov. 27.

This year’s Thanksgiving slate includes:

• Packers vs. Lions — 1 p.m. ET on FOX

• Chiefs vs. Cowboys — 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS

• Bengals vs. Ravens — 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

All three games will feature special tributes woven into each broadcast, along with radio coverage provided nationally by Westwood One and SiriusXM. Peacock will also stream a unique Madden NFL Cast during Bengals–Ravens, blending live action with video-game-style visuals from a hi-sky camera angle familiar to Madden players.

Each network will name a Madden Thanksgiving MVP, with the NFL Foundation donating $10,000 in that player’s name to a youth or high school football program — a nod to Madden’s passion for growing the sport. Winners also receive the Madden Thanksgiving MVP trophy, designed like a pylon and covered in classic “Maddenisms.”

Other elements returning this year include:

• A special Madden Hallmark video opening each broadcast.

• Game-used items auctioned to benefit the John Madden Foundation.

• A commemorative coin featuring Madden’s silhouette on one side and a six-legged turducken on the other.

• A Madden patch on every player’s jersey and customized field stencils at all three stadiums.

The celebration, which launched in 2022, remains one of the league’s most heartfelt tributes — honoring the coach who helped make Thanksgiving football what it is today.