Sports on TV Schedule: What to Watch From Christmas Through New Year’s

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Yes, Christmastime is here and there is plenty of cheer to go around. Beyond that, there are plenty of SPORTS to go around as well. From NFL and NBA games on Christmas to college football bowl games and the College Football Playoff, there are plenty of sports to keep you from becoming a grinch while spending time with your family.

Here’s a breakdown of what to watch between Christmas and New Year’s:

Wednesday, December 24

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse … or much of any sports on our TV. That’s right, the sports calendar basically is a silent night as we all wait for Santa with bated breath. That leaves the spotlight all to the Hawaii Bowl, which will see Cal take on Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors are -1.5 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the point total set at 52.5. Mele Kalikimaka, everyone.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl — Cal vs. Hawai’i

Thursday, December 25

Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas. Get your hot chocolate, open up the presents and get ready for a day filled with sports. The NFL has been making inroads in recent years on a day that has traditionally belonged to the NBA, but injuries have dimmed the star power a bit this year (especially in that Chiefs-Broncos nightcap).

Meanwhile on the hardwood, Victor Wembanyama and his Spurs travel to OKC to take on the defending champion Thunder. Wemby might be out of this world, but the Thunder have been a juggernaut this season, and the champs are 10.5-point favorites as of publication on DraftKings Sportsbook. And in L.A., we get another KD-LeBron showdown as the Rockets (-2.5) take on the Lakers.

Hopefully, these games will not turn into lumps of coal as we celebrate the day with family and friends.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder

Friday, December 26

The day after Christmas brings more football and basketball, as we have three college football bowl games beginning at 1 p.m. ET and an NBA doubleheader on Prime Video.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls

Saturday, December 27

Football dominates the day once again on December 27, as we have college football invading baseball stadiums in the Bronx and at Fenway. Plus, who will get to eat this year’s Pop-Tart mascot at the end of the Pop-Tarts Bowl between Georgia Tech and BYU?

Then we get an NFL doubleheader as the Texans take on the Chargers on NFL Network followed by the Ravens facing the Packers in the nightcap on Peacock.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers

Sunday, December 28

Of course, Sunday means NFL, but we’ve got a ton of college basketball on tap as well, including the No. 1 UConn women taking on Butler in a Big East battle.

We’ve got a couple of strong late-day matchups on the NFL slate, including the Eagles taking on the Bills and then the Bears traveling to the Bay to take on the 49ers on Sunday Night Football.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers

Monday, December 29

It’s a big day of basketball, with plenty of action on the college hardwood plus a doubleheader on NBC/Peacock featuring the Cavs squaring off with the Spurs and the Mavs battling the Blazers.

We’ve also got the final Monday Night Football matchup of the season, as the Rams travel to the ATL to face the Falcons.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons

Tuesday, December 30

December 30 features a little bit of everything for the well-rounded sports fan, from college football bowl games to men’s and women’s college basketball to another NBA doubleheader.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl — Tennessee vs. Illinois

Wednesday, December 31

Close out 2025 with plenty of sports action, including plenty of bowl games, college basketball, and a CFP quarterfinal.

College football bluebloods Michigan and Texas square off in the Citrus Bowl, while Miami will take on Ohio State in a CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. As of time of writing, the Buckeyes are 9.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with 93% of the handle and 83% of bets going to Ohio State according to our Betting Splits page.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal — Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic — Miami vs. Ohio State

Thursday, January 1

2026 comes in like a lion, with three CFP quarterfinal matchups.

The day starts at noon with the Oregon Ducks taking on the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Ducks are currently 1.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with 64% of the handle and 60% of bets going to Oregon. That’s followed by Alabama taking on Indiana, with the Hoosiers 6.5-point favorites even as the Crimson Tide is getting 78% of the handle. And New Year’s Day concludes with Ole Miss taking on Georgia at 8 p.m. at the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs are 6.5-point favorites and getting a whopping 99% of the handle. Can Lane Kiffin’s former team shock the world and beat the Bulldogs? Tune in on New Year’s Day to find out.

• Can’t Miss Matchup: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal — Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential — Alabama vs. Indiana

Let’s hope that Santa brings us plenty of gifts with these matchups during this stretch where we all have a little bit more time to tune into sports on TV while perhaps looking for an excuse to tune out conversations with distant relatives. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good sports night!