A staggering 27.5 million Americans streamed the Minnesota Vikings’ victory over the Detroit Lions on Netflix this Christmas Day, crowning it the most-watched NFL game ever on a streaming platform.
The December 25, 2025, matchup saw the Vikings dominate with a 23-10 win in Minneapolis. Nielsen data shows the game averaged 27.5 million U.S. viewers per minute, peaking above 30 million.
This performance edged out previous records. Netflix now claims the top three most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history, including two from last year’s Christmas slate.
Viewership Breakdown
- Lions-Vikings (Netflix): 27.5 million average U.S. viewers
- Broncos-Chiefs (Amazon Prime Video): 21.1 million average
- Cowboys-Commanders (Netflix): 19.9 million average
The tripleheader highlighted streaming’s growing dominance in live sports. Even with some teams facing injuries and playoff uncertainties, audiences tuned in strongly.
Halftime Highlights Boost Numbers
Entertainment played a key role. Snoop Dogg’s halftime show during the Lions-Vikings game drew 29 million viewers alone.
Features included performances by Lainey Wilson and ties to Netflix content, like voices from an animated film. The earlier game showcased Sugarhill Gang.
Global Reach and Social Buzz
Worldwide, the Lions-Vikings game averaged 30.5 million viewers. Viewers tuned in from over 200 countries.
Social media exploded with over 632 million impressions for Netflix’s NFL coverage. Snoop’s performance alone generated more than 100 million.
Background on the Shift
The NFL continues expanding holiday games to streaming services. Netflix holds rights for Christmas broadcasts through a multi-year deal.
This marks the second year for Netflix’s involvement, building on last season’s success. Amazon’s night game set its own record for Thursday Night Football.
Broader Impact on Streaming
Christmas Day became Netflix’s most-watched ever. The platform paired football with the release of new episodes from a popular sci-fi series.
That show topped global charts and contributed to massive daily engagement.
Experts note this trend signals a permanent move for major sports toward digital platforms. Younger fans prefer on-demand access over traditional TV.
Why It Matters Moving Forward
These numbers prove streaming can handle big events without major issues. The league likely will award more exclusive games to platforms like Netflix and Amazon.
Next year could bring even larger audiences as services refine live productions. For fans, it means more choices but potential subscription juggling for full access.
